BH-DBP Riong Poetry Night celebrates the beauty of language and literature

GEORGE TOWN: The prestigious Berita Harian (BH) Riong Poetry Night, jointly organised with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), brought its distinctive cultural appeal beyond its usual venue in the capital to enliven the 2026 National Language Month celebrations at Padang Kota Lama here last night.

BH Group Editor Zulkifli Jalil described the Riong Poetry Night tradition, which has captivated audiences for more than four decades since its introduction in the 1980s, as a meaningful platform for celebrating the beauty of Malaysia’s language and literature.

He emphasised that championing the Malay language, literature and culture was nothing new to BH, having been a cornerstone of the newspaper’s mission since its establishment on July 1, 1957.

“History has recorded how prominent figures in Malaysian journalism and literature, such as the late Tan Sri Abdul Samad Ismail, National Laureate Datuk Seri A Samad Said and the late Sutung Umar RS, former head of BH’s Literary Development Unit, nurtured literary appreciation through the newspaper.

“They ensured that newspapers did more than deliver news and public discourse, serving instead as a reflection of noble values, a platform for civilisational thought and a means of nurturing the beauty of the national language.

“Driven by this commitment, BH has consistently provided space for literary works and organised Riong Poetry Night since the 1980s, preserving the name Jalan Riong, where Balai Berita is located and where numerous discussions on national identity and society have taken shape,” he said when met after the event.

Zulkifli said the increasing use of mixed languages, declining grammatical standards and deteriorating language etiquette were among the challenges that needed to be addressed, particularly among younger generations in today’s fast-paced digital and information-driven era.

He said Riong Poetry Night could bring young people closer to literature while inspiring all segments of society to continue preserving and using the national language correctly, accurately and to a high standard in everyday life.

“BH wishes to reaffirm its commitment that the beauty of language is not merely reflected in poetry recitations on stage, but also depends on the proper use of Malay in terms of grammar, politeness and artistic expression.

“BH not only presents poetry recitations by National Laureates, but has also transformed the event into a cultural festival featuring activities such as heritage workshops, artistic demonstrations and traditional games,” he said.

Meanwhile, Penang State Secretary Datuk Dr Jafri Abdul Jalil, in his speech at the event, said the state government was honoured that Penang, also known as the Pearl of the Orient, had been selected to host a programme celebrating the beauty of language, the refinement of literature and the richness of the nation’s cultural heritage.

He said language and literature complemented each other in shaping a knowledgeable and cultured society, with literary works capable of conveying human values, wisdom and life experiences that leave a lasting impression on the community.

“Language is not merely a tool for communication, but also a bridge of unity connecting our multiracial society. We should take pride in the language passed down through generations because language is the soul of a nation.

“True progress must be balanced with a strong sense of identity, noble character and cultural values, as we aspire to nurture a generation that is knowledgeable and forward-thinking while remaining firmly rooted in its national heritage,” he said.

Earlier, visitors were entertained by Penang-born singers Mila Jirin and Nourul Depp, along with more than 30 student musicians from the Jenan Wind Orchestra of Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdul Halim (SMSAH) in Jitra, Kedah, and a classical Malay acoustic performance by Gemersik Band from Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Among those who also participated in the poetry recitations were National Laureate Datuk Dr Zurinah Hassan, poetry songwriter Ahmad Ramli, and 2025 Southeast Asian Writers Award recipient Hafizah Iszahanid, who is also BH Assistant News Editor.

Berita Harian