dsuarang: Jun 5, 2010

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Assalamualaikum dan Selamat Sejahtera

PFB's First Malay Reader

When I first joined Oxford University Press/Penerbit Fajar Bakti in 1980 I was immediately given "the bible". The Editorial Manual containing hard and fast rules and regulations for all OUP/PFB editors! I was also given the Press Publication List. I was indeed overwhelmed if not overawed by the huge number of titles flowing down the list. I thought it could go on and on and on . . .

But what actually caught my eye was one title "Buaya Mati Dua Kali" (BMDK) shown in the Publication List. I wondered what it was that this crocodile did until it died twice. He must have been a "sinner" I thought. Well, after a short while of pondering . . . the matter was just left at that.

PFB's First Malay ReaderBuaya Mati Dua Kali

Prelims
Title Verso

Every thought about the "buaya" was neglected and the situation went into oblivion. One can simply say I still did not understand at that time what "Buaya Mati Dua Kali" (BMDK) was all about.

Prelims

Title Verso (tv) & Contents Page

Prelims
Double Spread Illustration encompassing Title Page

The Pages

Many months lapsed. Then there was this thing about OUP celebrating its 25th Anniversary in Malaysia in a few months time . . . There was this talk about OUP/PFB Malaysia going into the celebration in a more than moderate manner.

Eye-catching Illustration

On 23 October 1982 OUP/PFB Malaysia indeed went into the act of celebrating OUP's 25th Anniversary in Malaysia in a big way. There was this big celebration held at the International Hotel, Kuala Lumpur in grand Malay Traditional style with the Bunga Manggar, Kompang, Busana, band and all.

Illustration facing verso page

The Big Nite
Malam Buaya Mati Dua Kali

After 25 Years in Malaysia

Though a new hand at OUP/PFB, I was given the task of taking care of food and venue for the big night. That was a challenge by itself! Every Department was asked to present an entertainment item for the occasion. Marks were given in some sort of a competition amongst the departments. There were about 8 departments in all. I cannot remember that clearly who actually won what . . . but looking back today I guess everyone was a winner that time then!

There was also this Talentime Competition and Award Presentation Ceremony. I featured in all the excitement. Every other staff enjoyed to the fullest the running of the occasion "Malam Buaya Mati Dua Kali" in conjunction with OUP's 25th Anniversary in Malaysia on 23 October 1982.

The Committee Members for MBMDK

That 1980 special do answered my curiosity . . . the title "Buaya Mati Dua Kali" was so relevant that it was chosen to highlight the big night "Malam Buaya Mati Dua Kali" marking a significant happening. And only then I came to know that BMDK was the first Malay Reader for PFB. It was actually, a translated version of Shamus Frazer English reader, "The Crocodile Dies Twice". The English version was published in 1954. The Malay translation by Asraf was first published in 1958. Abdullah Ibrahim was the illustrator for the translated reader.

Another interesting illustration

of the pirates

After that came the avalanche of Malay readers . . . leading to numerous quality titles taking up the columns in OUP/PFB reading list (and the space of shelves in leading bookstores) which became very popular and dominant in the local book market!

That's the true "colours" of . . .
. . . d croc that "dyes" too wise

Photo Gallery