Bangi, Malaysia, (ANTARA News/Bernama) - Malaysia`s Information, Communication and Culture Ministry has proposed that the writings of prominent Indonesian author, ulema and politician Abdul Malik Karim Amarullah, better known as Hamka, be used as a unifying element for Indonesia and Malaysia.

Minister Dr Rais Yatim said this was because Hamka was a unique individual from the Malay world who had contributed much to unity between the two countries during his lifetime.

"An icon who should be emulated by today`s generation, Hamka wrote at least 68 books and gave numerous speeches. We should see his works as his contribution to Indonesia-Malaysia civilisation.

"In this regard, the ministry intends to offer a grant of RM100,000 (US$1=RM3.36) to a university undergraduate to undertake comprehensive research on this prominent figure towards achieving a Ph.D.

"As I personally had close ties with Hamka before his death (in 1981), his contribution needs to be seen from the aspect of enculturing language, making Malay Language and Indonesia Language the lingua franca and language of knowledge in the Malay Archipelago," he told reporters after opening a regional seminar in conjunction with Hamka`s centenary, at National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), here, Monday.

Also present were UKM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Sharifah Hapsah Syed Hasan Shahabudin and Indonesian deputy ambassador to Malaysia, Tatang Budie Utama Razak.

Hamka was a Minangkabau from West Sumatra whose intellectual influence extended beyond Indonesia to the whole of Malaysia.

An autodidact, he was well-versed in many subjects such as philosophy, literature, history, religion, sociology, journalism and politics, from both the Islamic and Western sides.

His works have become reference and research material for students in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Earlier, in his speech, Rais said the seminar, aimed at remembering Hamka`s contributions in various fields, should perhaps consider making his works a cultural bridge and unifying factor for Indonesia and Malaysia.

"Hamka was a thinker and universalist who loved humanity. He often spoke on struggles, knowledge and so on. He was God`s gift to us all," he said.(*)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

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