KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) has denied allegations made by a Facebook page which alleged that it engaged in the burning of Iban language literature.
Responding to the ‘Iban’s literature and book were burned by DBP’ post on the ‘Sarawak Public Feedback’ Facebook page, it said the claim is untrue and misleading, while reaffirming its pursuit of literary preservation.
DBP said that since DBP Sarawak Branch took over the role from the Borneo Literature Bureau (BLB) in 1977, all materials including books received with 1,077 titles were still preserved in storage.
“This includes 444 collections (BLB) and 633 (Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah collections) still being preserved and this material can be used as a reference by researchers, writers and the public who wish to go to the Borneo collection, DBP Sarawak Branch,” it said in a statement today.
As an agency entrusted with safeguarding and upholding language and literature, DBP has, through research and documentation of tribal languages and indigenous folklore in Sarawak, published dictionaries of tribal languages like Kamus Bahasa Melanau Mukah, Kamus Bahasa Iban, Kamus Bahasa Vaie, and Kamus Melayu Sarawak.
It has also published a Word List (catalogue), including ‘Daftar Kata Bahasa Vaie (Bahasa Melayu), Daftar Kata Bahasa Melayu (Bahasa Kedayan), Daftar Kata Bahasa Melayu (Bahasa Melanau Dalat), Daftar Kata Bahasa Melayu (Bahasa Melanau Seduan), Daftar Kata Bahasa Melayu (Bahasa Kenyah Cebup), Daftar Kata Bahasa Melayu (Bahasa Tetaw), Daftar Kata Bahasa Bakong (Bahasa Melayu), and Daftar Kata Bahasa Narum (Bahasa Melayu).
In addition, DBP also published 44 titles of folk literature books including the ‘Antologi Cerita Rakyat Sarawak Telichu and Telichai, Avun Hagang Batang Kayo, Kerena Dayang Petera, Nariak and Puteri Kayangan, Buluh Perindu, Kumpulan Cerita Rakyat Sarawak Si Abu-Abu Sarawak Folklore, Cerita Rakyat Iban and Asap Kayu Lukai, as well as publishing Iban Language textbooks in liaison with the Education Ministry which have been officially used for teaching in schools in Sarawak.
“DBP Sarawak Branch will continue to carry out research, conservation and publication in honouring tribal languages, folk literature and the uniqueness found in the multi-racial community in Sarawak.
“The results of these findings are presented every year in the ‘Seminar Kearifan Tempatan Sarawak’ which sees the participation of researchers, literary activists, academics, and community leaders in the Land of the Hornbills,” it said.
DBP expressed hope that the allegation on Facebook would not hamper DBP’s efforts in preserving and conserving the treasures, uniqueness, and culture of the Sarawak community through the documentation and publishing of books that will be dwelt upon by future generations.
— Bernama
