Shahnon Ahmad
Encyclopedia
Dato' Haji
Shahnon bin Ahmad (born 1933 in Sik
, Kedah
) is a Malaysian writer, a National Laureate, and a former Member of Parliament
. He was awarded with the National Literary Award in 1982. He is also a Professor Emeritus at Universiti Sains Malaysia
in Penang
.
Shahnon has written a number books, one of the most notable being Shit @ PukiMak @ PM (1999), a controversial political satire
. The book makes allegorical references to the ruling coalition government, Barisan Nasional
(BN), its major component party, United Malays National Organisation
(UMNO), and former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamed. There were attempts by the government to ban this book and to strip Shahnon of his literary title.
Some novels written by Shahnon include Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan (1966)—which has been adapted into a film called Rice People
directed by Cambodian film director Rithy Panh
, Rentong (1965), Srengenge (1973)—which won the Malaysian Novel of the Year in 1970, and Terdedah (1965).
Shahnon is also a member of opposition
political party PAS
. In the 1999 general election
, he contested in the Parliamentary constituency of Sik (P.13) in which he won. He did not contest in the 2004 general election
which saw PAS losing that seat to BN.
Hajji
Hajji or El-Hajj, is an honorific title given to a Muslim person who has successfully completed the Hajj to Mecca, and is often used to refer to an elder, since it can take time to accumulate the wealth to fund the travel. The title is placed before a person's name...
Shahnon bin Ahmad (born 1933 in Sik
Sik, Kedah
Sik is a major town and district in Kedah, Malaysia. It is located on the eastern part of the state, and is bordered by Padang Terap District to the northwest, Thailand to the north, Baling District to the south, Kuala Muda District to the southwest, and Pendang District to the west...
, Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
) is a Malaysian writer, a National Laureate, and a former Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
. He was awarded with the National Literary Award in 1982. He is also a Professor Emeritus at Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia is a public university with its main campus in Penang, Malaysia. There are three branch campuses: one in mainland Penang , one in Kelantan on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and a offshore collaboration with a university in India...
in Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
.
Shahnon has written a number books, one of the most notable being Shit @ PukiMak @ PM (1999), a controversial political satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
. The book makes allegorical references to the ruling coalition government, Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
(BN), its major component party, United Malays National Organisation
United Malays National Organisation
The United Malays National Organisation, is Malaysia's largest political party; a founding member of the National Front coalition, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence....
(UMNO), and former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamed. There were attempts by the government to ban this book and to strip Shahnon of his literary title.
Some novels written by Shahnon include Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan (1966)—which has been adapted into a film called Rice People
Rice People
Rice People is a 1994 Cambodian drama film directed and co-written by Rithy Panh. Adapted from the 1966 novel Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan , by Malaysian author Shahnon Ahmad, which is set in the Malaysian state of Kedah, Rice People is the story of a rural family in post-Khmer Rouge Cambodia,...
directed by Cambodian film director Rithy Panh
Rithy Panh
Rithy Panh is an internationally and critically acclaimed Cambodian documentary film director and screenwriter.The French-schooled director's films focus on the aftermath of the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia...
, Rentong (1965), Srengenge (1973)—which won the Malaysian Novel of the Year in 1970, and Terdedah (1965).
Shahnon is also a member of opposition
Opposition (Malaysia)
The Opposition in Malaysia is a term used to describe political parties represented in the Parliament of Malaysia that are not in government either on their own or as part of a governing coalition. Note that this article uses the term government as it is used in parliamentary systems, i.e...
political party PAS
PAS (political party)
The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party commonly known as PAS or Pas, is an Islamist political party in Malaysia and is currently headed by Dato' Seri Abdul Hadi Awang...
. In the 1999 general election
Malaysian general election, 1999
The 1999 Malaysian General Election was held on 29 November 1999 as stipulated by the laws of Malaysia for general elections. As expected, the Barisan Nasional coalition maintained its majority in parliament, and thus, its grip on the post of Prime Minister....
, he contested in the Parliamentary constituency of Sik (P.13) in which he won. He did not contest in the 2004 general election
Malaysian general election, 2004
General elections were held in Malaysia on March 21, 2004. The incumbent National Front government of Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was re-elected with an increased majority.-Election results:...
which saw PAS losing that seat to BN.