KUALA LUMPUR -- Everyone knows that Datuk A. Samad Said is a national literary laureate, but not many are aware that he is actually studying Chinese literature, including the works of Nobel laureate Mo Yan.
He said he started to come into contact with Chinese literature during his studies in Singapore, thanks to the encouragement from his mathematics teacher.
Samad Said said during an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily after he was awarded the Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award, "My teacher always gave me books and taught me a lot of things about life. He also encouraged me to write. Other than my parents, he had the deepest influences on me."
Because of the encouragement from this maths teacher, the 81-year-old poet continues to study the Chinese literature until this day, and has a passion for the works of Nobel laureate Mo Yan.
He felt honored to be given the Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award, which he said is of great significance to him.
Right to defend mother language
He said he did not understand why Lim Lian Geok's citizenship was stripped by the government, and said no one should be stripped of his citizenship just because he has fought to defend his language, adding that many people have been fighting to defend their languages besides Lim, including many Malays and Indians as well.
"I'm also defending my language, and there is no way the authorities should strip the citizenship of a person just because of that."
One of the recipients of the 26th Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award 2013, Samad Said is also the first non-Chinese recipient of this award.
He told Sin Chew Daily this country belongs to everyone, and what he really hopes to see is that Malaysia could become a truly harmonious country.
To him, he said there is no distinction of race in Malaysia. All Malaysians, be they Malays, Chinese or Indians, must try to understand one another and make this country a better place for all.
Also the recipient of the 1986 national literature awards, Samad Said has been very active in non-governmental organizations in recent years, and could be seen in many large and small events. He was also once the co-chairman of Bersih 2.0.
He told Sin Chew Daily he was actually a very simple person leading a very simple life. He likes to visit book stores, go for movies or hang around at coffee shops, and reads the Holy Koran at night.
He said he never bought a car to help him move around, so Sin Chew Daily had to meet him at a coffee shop near Bangsar LRT station.
He pointed out that he was not against capitalism, but that a person didn't have to be rich to be happy. He said he was contented with his life now, and would go for fasting every other day to keep fit.
Not fair
He said Bersih 2.0 did not really need his presence, but because some people were trying to create trouble for Datuk Ambiga, so he had to come out and offer her a hand.
He said Ambiga was a very sincere person, and he believed she could lead alone.
"We have seen one-party dominance for over 50 years. Half the Malays and Indians already see the importance of a two-party system. The position of Chinese Malaysians is even more obvious."
He said Bersih 2.0 was not asking too much; all that it wanted was a clean and transparent election.
It is understandable that Samad Said, who is also the advisor of Gabungan Mansuhkan PPSMI (teaching of science and maths in English), is labeled anti-BN and anti-government. He stressed hat he did not go against the government blindly.
"I don't care what others would say, but I just feel that the government has not been fair, so I joined the rallies
" I want to see true national unity to change a corrupt regime." - mysinchew
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