FOUR NEW HIKAYAT FANDOM PUBLICATIONS DEBUT AT SELANGOR BOOK FESTIVAL

SHAH ALAM, Nov 30 (Bernama) -- In celebrating the resurgence of Pan–Southeast Asian culture, Hikayat Fandom today launched four new publications at the Selangor International Book Festival (SIBF) 2025, which is being held from Nov 28 to Dec 5 at the Setia City Convention Centre.

Hikayat Fandom co-founder and acclaimed author, Ninot Aziz, said the publications comprise the ‘Mini Encyclopaedia Series of Ancient Civilisations’, ‘Beyond the Malay Archipelago: An Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ancient Southeast Asia’, and her historical fiction novel’s international edition, ‘Kembara Leyla – Rahsia Empayar Uthmaniyah’.

“These achievements are built on research, creativity and regional collaboration. They reignite a Pan–Southeast Asian cultural renaissance, elevating knowledge, shared heritage and contemporary imagination onto the global stage,” she said in a statement today.

Ninot, who is Persatuan Sastera Lisan Kebangsaan (PERSALINA) president, said the ‘Mini Encyclopaedia Series of Ancient Civilisations’ is the first of five books produced through her collaboration with 20 global experts and academics from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Portugal and Sweden, alongside illustrators from Ireland, Malaysia and Indonesia.

“This work brings together knowledge and insights on ancient kingdoms, maritime powers, classical literature and epics, architecture, patriotic figures and heritage sites into a strikingly illustrated volume.

“This encyclopedia is our cultural bridge between the past and the future. By consolidating this knowledge from leading experts worldwide, we reaffirm our rightful shared regional identity within global civilisation,” she said.

In conjunction with the encyclopedia’s launch, Ninot also introduced ‘Kembara Leyla – Rahsia Empayar Uthmaniyah’, the Malay-language version translated from ‘Leyla’s Quest – Echoes of Uthmaniyah’ and rewritten by her in collaboration with translator Irni Fazrita Farid.

“What began as a translation project has now grown into a regional and international literary movement. We have also confirmed an Indonesian edition slated for release in 2026,” she added.

Also launched was ‘A Book of Poems: Meowgical Tails Of Malaysia’ by Prof Mohd Said Bani C. M. Din, illustrated by Shahren Retashah, which follows three cats – Basyirah, Muezza and Ashqar – on their journey across Malaysia’s most beautiful destinations.

The ceremony additionally honoured theatre practitioner Shanthini Venugopal with the Storyteller Guild Award 2025, and marked the launch of Hikayat Fandom’s official website, www.hikayatfandom.com.

The book launch was further enlivened by a special performance from singer Aisha Retno, who presented the song ‘Mayang Sari’ from the GEMA HIKAYAT collection with support from the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.

Also present were National Laureate Prof Emeritus Dr Muhammad Salleh; Selangor Public Library Corporation director Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad; Malaysian National Book Council director Khair Ngadiron; and Hikayat Fandom co-founder Rudy Daud.

-- BERNAMA