Joining the KLAB

It looks like the indie publishing scene is really growing in Malaysia. We also have more independent writers in Bahasa Malaysia, like Fdaus Ahmad, participating this year, unlike previous years, which saw mainly local English-language writers selling their works. This shows that it is the shared spirit of independent writing that counts and not the language one is writing in.

Zulhabri Supian, one of the KL Alternative bookfair's initiators, is one of the people Hari Azizan talks to about the bookfest in Starmag : it's a very good piece which gives an excellent overview of the event.

Join the KLAB

The KL Alternative Bookfest rides again, alongside Art for Grabs at The Annexe Gallery, Central Market Saturday 12 and Sunday 13th June.  I will be there selling second-hand books on Daphne Lee's stall, to raise money for books for under-privileged kids.

Here's the message from Facebook :

Once again, everybody’s favourite art and craft bazaar combines forces with everybody’s favourite alternative bookfest. Be stimulated, challenged and placated: Malaysia may be overrun with fools, but here you won’t meet them. Instead, you’ll meet smart, savvy, sexy people. Mostly.
PROGRAMME
Watch this space for more updates!

Sat 12 Jun

12pm
“ROJAK” by Amir Muhammad + “TAPAI” by Hishamuddin Rais
Book Launch & Reading
ZI Publications presents the launch of two delicious books by two of Malaysia’s wittiest writers. “Rojak” is Amir’s first ever collection of (very) short stories, complete with illustrations by Chin Yew. It’s tart and crunchy, sweet and spicy, and saucy and juicy, just like its namesake dish. “Tapai” on the other hand collects Hishamuddin’s sardonic and erudite food column features published in Off The Edge magazine, guaranteed to whet your appetite for more than mere nutrition.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132374223440117

1pm
“WITHOUT ANCHOVIES” by Chua Kok Yee + “DAYS OF CHANGE” by Chuah Guat Eng
Book Launch & Reading
“Without Anchovies” (Silverfish) is the debut collection of short stories by Chuah Kok Yee, first featured in the anthology “News From Home”. He tantalises us with his collection of modern Malaysian tales of armed robberies, fanatical school prefects, vampires, werewolves and the recipe for good nasi lemak sambal. Chuah Guat Eng continues her acclaimed novel “Echoes Of Silence” with its sequel “Days Of Change” (Holograms), which follows narrator Hafiz as he struggles to regain his memory after a fall. Unable to talk to a psychiatrist, he uses the I Ching, the Chinese 'book of changes' to trigger his memory. Through Hafiz's memories, thoughts, and dreams, “Days Of Change” provides glimpses of the socio-political changes and ethical challenges Malaysians have had to cope with since Independence.

2pm
PopIN: PopOUT: PM PM! PopMuda Proposals for Prime Minister
Forum
This event will feature thought-provoking and hilarious presentations by creative, critical and innovative young Malaysians who have been featured PMs (PopMudas) on the PopIN info network! Expect to have your brains turned inside out, upside down and over the top by conceptual artists, angry activists, skinny jean-ed filmmakers and other people you want to dance with! Curated by Mark Teh and Rahmah Pauzi.

4pm
“28 HARI: JURNAL ROCK N’ ROLL” by Mohd Jayzuan
Book Launch & Music
Everyone eats shite to get ahead! In “28 Hari: Jurnal Rock n’ Roll” (Sang Freud Press) Jayzuan has written the story of his days touring the Peninsular Malaysia, with a guitar, a journal, and a broken heart. Using all his grifter know-how and silver-tongued devilry to survive, this is an adventure to understand himself, and the reason why he feels compelled to leave. To be launced by fellow muso Fathullah Luqman Yusuff, plus acoustic performances by D’Mamat, Ainul Aishah and Faan.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115987768441231&ref=ts

5pm
“NOTA-NOTA GERILA: 10 ZINES”
Zine Launch
For the first time in Malaysian history, a 10-zine launch! Includes the launches of: “Conscious #4”, “Innerview #4”, “Sampah Karat #3”, “Fragfrantik”, “Mosh #13”, “Pari-Pari Kertas” by Beeha, “Sisa Se Saat” by SisiSeni, “Frinzine” by Frinjan, “Asid” by Oxygen Media, and “Burgermpark” by Paradoks. The launch will be preceded by an oral history of zines in Malaysia by Nizang and bookended by a Q&A session.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113206265388695&ref=ts

7pm
“COLLECTED PLAYS, VOL.1” by Alfian Sa’at
Book Launch & Reading
“Collected Plays, Vol.1” (Ethos Books) bring together four plays by Alfian Sa'at and explore themes that have become a hallmark of the playwright's work: national identity, racial relations, and the resistance of individuals against authoritarian systems. In “The Optic Trilogy”, the surfacing of buried secrets and repressed memories profoundly alter the way a man and woman see each other. In “Fugitives”, the members of a family discover that their self-definition relies on their interactions with the 'outsiders' who exist beyond their comfort zones. In “Homesick”, a diasporic Singaporean family, quarantined during the SARS crisis, evaluate the meanings of home. And in “sex.violence.blood.gore”, the facade of a rigid, orderly society is peeled away to reveal intense and chaotic passions.

Sun 13 Jun

12pm
“WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW THAT YOU DON’T KNOW” by Centre For Independent Journalism
Film, Song & Dance

1pm
“SEMBANG KENCANG” by Fdaus Ahmad
Book Launch
(Uya-Unique Youth Association)

2pm
“ISU DALAM KARTUN VOL.3”
Book Launch
(Fikrah Books & Konco ZUNAR)

3pm
“WARGA” by Azmyl Yunor
Music Performance
After a half-decade wait for a new release, singer songwriter Azmyl Yunor finally wipes the dust off his glasses and delivers his new album “Warga” (Troubadours), a triumphant and definitive musical statement by Malaysia’s most lovable and eloquent folkmeister.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=127033337325247

4pm
“METAFIZIK & KOSMOPOLITANISME” by Khalid Jaafar
Book Launch & Public Intellectual Forum
Institut Kajian Dasar and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung are proud to present the launch of Khalid Jaafar’s intriguing new book “Metafizik & Kosmopolitanisme”, to be officiated by YB Nurul Izzah Anwar, Lembah Pantai MP, with welcoming remarks by the author himself. To celebrate the launch, a forum entitled “Metaphysics & Cosmopolitanism” will be held, featuring a distinguished list of speakers including Eddin Khoo, Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa and Wan Ji Wan Hussin, with Hasmi Hashim moderating This will be followed by a reception in honour of the VIP guests.

Reading Lolita in KL

Just thought I'd post this up :

Dear friends,

KL Alternative Bookfest (KLAB) is just around the corner (this weekend...) so if you are planning to go KLABbing this weekend, I'd recommend you stop by SIS booth and attend our reading.

It being a
bookfest means there are quite a few readings but there are some very compelling
reasons why you should attend ours.

1. without divulging too much as it's an experiential thing, let's just say it's going to be dark and very interesting.

2. the reading list is a selection of books banned throughout the ages, including works by Darwin, Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish, Indonesian writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer, and a few other authors and titles you wouldn't expect to be in the realm of the censored.

3. we've been very lucky to get these booklovers to read (for free and freely) and they are:

hot off the air-con Shanon Shah, Marina Mahathir, Fahmi Fadzil, Cecil Rajendra, Rahmat Haron, Priya K. (young poet), Chi Too (documentary filmmaker and a Mak Bedah), and Aishah Hassan (performing arts student).

Whether this event is (malaysian) shariah-compliant I'm not sure but
it's definitely fatwa-free and 100% mother's day-friendly so bring your BFFs and
their moms and join us as we celebrate the freedom to read.

Here are the details:

Reading Lolita in KL
Sunday, May 10, 2009
4.30pm - 6pm
2nd floor, The Annexe Gallery, Central Market KL


booklovers of
the world unite to take over!

XXXmas

--
Masjaliza Hamzah
Programme Manager (Research & Publications)
Sisters in Islam
7 Jalan 6/10, 46000 Petaling Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia
Tel:603-7785 6121,
Fax:603 7785 8737
Website: www.sistersinislam.org.my

Coming Up!

Here's a quick guide to some of the good things on in KL in the near future, and which I won't get to see as I will be away. First of all, do remember the poetry slam organised for tomorrow, and featuring an impressive line-up which includes Chris Mooney-Singh, Bani Haykkal (B-Quartet), Priya K, Hazlan Zakaria, Dizzy Firefly, the slammers of the night (Illya, Afi, Ayue, Cipta, Fynn, Arzumy, Abdul M.I. Abdullah, Zain Azrai).... and maybe YOU because even if you don't want to be part of the slam, you can take a turn at the mic to read any new work you have. Then there is the KL Alternative Bookfair at Central Market Annexe, held in conjunction with Art for Grabs on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10 May, 12pm to 8pm. There is a programme up on Facebook, with several talks and quite a number of book launches listed. Do check it out - last year the event was great fun and everyone who went managed to snag free books, and I expect this year will be even better. I like the sound of Sisters In Islam's event on the Sunday afternoon celebrating the freedom to read by performing poetry and excerpts from books, plays, scripts, etc that have been banned in many countries throughout history. Chuah Guat Eng's novel Echoes of Silence was the first full-length novel in English by a Malaysian woman, when it first appeared in 1994. Now the book has been republished and in a session called Anatomizing the Colonised Mind, on Saturday, 23 May at Silverfish Books, Guat will read from, and discuss her novel.

KLAB Revisited

More commentary on the KL Alternative Bookfair, as Leon Wing shares his impressions in Starmag today. This I found perplexing:

Tokobuku’s Faisal was exhibiting his work as a step towards expanding his fotopages.com into a retail business. Underlining the fest’s alternative (almost anti-establishment) feel, some of the books he displayed had no ISBN number.

He explained: “For some writers, it’s a hassle to obtain the ISBN from the National Library, as they would have to reveal their identity – and that can be a risk for some of them.”

Really???

KLAB also gets Raman's seal of approval. I love what he says about the forum on book banning :

The debate went along pretty much predictable lines (we have all heard it before -- they went to the ministry, spoke to some furniture and came back disappointed, how dare that chair tell me what I should read!)

Talking of bookfairs, Popular Bookstore's BookFest@Malaysia 2008 begins on May 24th. A full programme of events is lined up featuring a whole lot of overseas authors (though sadly no-one who writes fiction) and local authors including Amir Muhammad, Zhang Su Li, Lim May Zhee and even Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

You can also readcycle (Love it!) your old books.

Everything you might want to know about the fair and a whole lot more can be found here.

The slogan for this event is Reading Empowers, so at least here they got their grammar right (though sadly they have plenty of howlers in the descriptions of events).

Postcards for Protest

Sisters In Islam were handing out these lovely little postcards at the book fair. Not for people to tuck into their new books to mark the page (although I did steal one or two and will use them for that purpose) but to sign and send to the Minster of Home Affairs as a protest about the banning of books in Malaysia. The picture is by ... of course everyone's favourite illustrator, Shahril Nizam. I wonder if this is the cutest protest by anyone, anywhere, ever.


My clumsy translation (without help, without a dictionary and which you can pick me up on!) :

As a Malaysian citizen who loves to read, I strongly condemn book banning by the government.

The act of banning goes against the notion of freedom of information and runs contrary to the reading campaigns that the government itself has encouraged.

I am concerned that action like this will have a harmful effect on the intellectual development and creativity of the people.

More about the forum on book banning to come.

Readers Want Answers!

As part of KLAB this coming weekend, Sister in Islam are organising a forum of the censorship of books in Malaysia :

Wacana on Book Banning: Readers Want Answers

Date: May 3, 2008
Time : 4.00 -- 6.00pm
Venue : Studio 3, The Annexe, Central Market

Presenters :
V. Gayathry (Centre for Independent Journalism)
Astora Jabat (deputy editor of Al-Islam and columnist for Utusan Malaysia)
Norhayati Kaprawi (Sisters In Islam)
Representative from Home Ministry (to be confirmed)

Each presenter is given 15 minutes and we hope their input will spark a lively discussion from the floor. Input can be either in Bahasa Malaysia or English.

Join us in this discussion as we scrutinise the history of book banning, including in the Muslim world, and consider the political, social and theological currents behind this form of censorship, especially in Malaysia. We hope to bring together publishers, writers (including those who have been banned), bloggers, journalists, and most importantly, readers and lovers of books.

There is limited seating so please register with Mala at 03-7785 6121. We look forward to seeing you there!

Sisters in Islam

It's a topic very close to my heart, as all of you know, and I've just been invited along to take part too. Really hope that the representative from the Home Ministry is coming along too, as this could lead to some real dialogue!

Join the KLAB!

Next weekend it's the KLAB – the Kuala Lumpur Alternative Book Festival - 2008! :

This is a book fair with a twist and kick, and you don’t want to miss it. Spicing it up are four book launches, guaranteed to turn you into a literary anarchist!

On 3 to 4 May 2008, a new book festival will be launched in Kuala Lumpur, at The Annexe, Central Market. Touting itself as an alternative to commercial book festivals and warehouse sales, KLAB 2008 promises the discerning reader a different read altogether. Literary fiction, politics, religion – written by local writers and published by local publishers who are passionate about books, writing and the causes they champion.

15 bookshops under one roof!

15 publishers will be setting up stalls to hawk their wares: Silverfish Books, Z Publishing, Suara-Suara, Gerak Budaya, SIRD, to name a few. If you want to know what makes Malaysia Malaysia, head over to the stalls and talk to publishers and writers like Daphne Lee, Raman Krishnan and Raja Ahmad. They’ll tell you!

Four book launches!

Four book launches: BERSIH photo-book. "Kakiseni" playwriting winners. Aweks KL. Religion Under Siege.

And Hishamuddin Rais' new book, available for the first time.

The KAKISCRIPT launch will be on Sunday 4 May 2008 @ 2pm. More updates coming up!

Programme:

Saturday
12pm Forum on Malay Politics
2pm Bersih photo book book launch
4pm SIS Forum on Book Banning

Sunday
2pm Joint book launch: Kakiseni & Aweks KL
4pm Religion Under siege book launch & forum

Free books!

At the Book Giveaway, anyone with too many books at home can leave them at the Annexe, and those who want more books, may grab them for free! Caveat: each ‘buyer’ can take home only three books. Hey, they’re free, what’s the fuss?

KLAB is also a part of The Annexe's Art For Grabs, the bazaar for art under RM100! Also going on is World Freedom Press Day workshops and rock gigs on both days.

For more details and interviews with the writers and publishers please contact:

Amir Muhammad – kancah2001@yahoo.com
Zulhabri Supian – zulhabri@gmail.com
Dina Zaman – dinazaman@gmail.com