Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News) - Three books written by Indonesian writers have received awards under several categories at the ASEAN Book Award 2018, which was held on the sidelines of Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2018, on Monday.

These three books include "Rain of June" by Sapardi Djoko Damono, published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama, which was crowned as the best under the compilation book category.

The book of "Dilan - He is My Dilan 1990," published by Dar Mizan and written by Pidi Baiq, won the best fiction book award.

"Sang Pemimpi" (The Dreamer), published by Bentang Pustaka and written by Andrea Hirata, won the best adaptation book award.

The award was given by the Chairman of the State Book Development Foundation, Tuan Haji Hasan Hamzah; Multifunctional President of Sdn Bhd Group, Dr Ir Muhammad Abdul Karim Abdullah; Chairman of Setiausaha, Negara; and Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Dr. Ali Hamsa.

Wedha Stratesti Yudha, representing Gramedia Pustaka Utama, received the Damono`s award, while awards for Baiq and Hirata were given to Esti Ayu Budihabsari, representing Mizan and Bentang publishers.

On the occasion, Executive Director of the Malaysian State Book Development Foundation, Zakry Sa`ed, signed the first charter to the establishment of the ASEAN Book Council with Chairman of Gemar Membaca Foundation (Reading Hobby Foundation), Firdaus Oemar.

Indonesia and Malaysia will pioneer the establishment of these institutions by continuing their next activities.

"Actually, the signing of the `first charter` towards the establishment of ASEAN Book Council was pioneered by Indonesia and Malaysia to continue with the activities and further meetings," he revealed.

Reported by Agus Setiawan
(T.KR-TQA/INE)
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/B/H-YH)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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