FMT op-ed writer shortlisted for Commonwealth Short Story Prize

 Mohamed Nasser Mohamed’s deeply personal story transforms grief into a powerful narrative that resonates with readers globally.

Mohamed Nasser Mohamed says he wrote his short story in Bahasa Malaysia to express himself more naturally. (Mohamed Nasser Mohamed pic)

SHAH ALAM:

 It began with a single shoe, a lone object left behind after everything else had been washed away by the devastating flood.

But for 62-year-old writer Mohamed Nasser Mohamed, that image carried the weight of grief, memory, and something harder to name. The kind of loss that never quite finds closure.

That story – written in Bahasa Malaysia, shaped by lived experience, and later translated into English by writer-translator Pauline Fan – has now carried him onto one of the world’s biggest literary platforms.

Nasser is the sole Malaysian shortlisted for the 2026 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, a global competition that drew 7,806 entries from 54 countries. And only 25 writers from 14 countries made the cut.

“I honestly feel both surprised and deeply humbled. Being shortlisted was never something I expected when I first submitted the story,” Nasser shared with FMT Lifestyle.

“It began as a very personal narrative. To now be in a position where I am representing Malaysia at an international level feels like a responsibility as much as it is an honour.”

Pauline Fan says Nasser’s entry shows stories from Malaysia resonate beyond our borders.

After years of writing human interest stories – particularly for FMT’s Malay section – this moment feels less like a breakthrough and more like quiet affirmation.

Nasser’s shortlisted story, written over two months and titled “Separuh Yang Hilang”, follows a couple who lose their daughter in a sudden flood – leaving behind only a single shoe, a haunting symbol of unresolved grief.

It draws from his experience volunteering in Kelantan during the 2014 floods.

“Witnessing the emotional aftermath, especially among families who lost loved ones, left a lasting impression on me,” he said. “Every time floods occur, those memories return, and this story became my way of processing and honouring those experiences.”

Rather than turning that grief into something overtly dramatic, Nasser chose restraint. The story unfolds unassumingly, allowing emotion to surface without force, a choice that translator Fan believes is key to its impact.

Nasser wants to keep writing about human connection and storytelling. (Mohamed Nasser Mohamed pic)

“I was struck by how it handles grief and natural disaster in a quiet, controlled way. It’s emotionally powerful without being overwhelming, and that kind of restraint really stands out,” Fan, creative director of cultural organisation Pusaka, recalled.

“There were even moments when I teared up while I was translating it.”

One of the defining aspects of Nasser’s journey is his decision to write in BM – not as a limitation, but as a strength.

“The opportunity to write in Malay was particularly meaningful to me,” he noted. “Writing in my most comfortable language allows me to express emotions and nuances more naturally.”

That choice has paid off: his story stands alongside works written in English and other global languages, a reminder that powerful storytelling is not bound by language.

“Part of the process was trying to capture that voice without losing its essence,” Fan said.

Nasser’s path to this moment has been anything but linear. Born in India, he moved to Malaysia at age six and grew up in Tanjung Karang, Selangor. His career spans television – including seven years at TV3 – and publishing, where he has worked on over 150 book titles as a consulting editor.

Nasser says writing is a way of understanding both himself and others. (Mohamed Nasser Mohamed pic)

Today, he continues that journey with Nuha Books, a company founded by his daughter. But at the heart of it all is storytelling.

“Facts inform, but stories connect,” he said. “That connection is what draws me to writing.”

His influences reflect that philosophy, from Malaysia’s A Samad Said to international writers like R K Narayan and Khaled Hosseini – all known for capturing the human condition with clarity and depth.

Beyond personal achievement, Nasser sees this moment as something larger. “It reassures me that stories rooted in local experiences can still resonate globally, and that gives me quiet confidence moving forward.”

Whether he wins or not, Nasser hopes to encourage other Malaysian writers to step forward and explore opportunities like this.

“Competitions like this are not just about winning; they are about exposure, growth, and learning. By participating, writers challenge themselves and gain confidence. Sometimes, the biggest barrier is simply not trying,” Nasser concluded. - FMT

Find out more about the Commonwealth Short Story Prize here.