KUALA LUMPUR – National laureate Zaharah Nawawi died at the KPJ Rawang Specialist Hospital, Selangor at 7.55am this morning, believed to be due to cancer.
The news was shared by the deceased's nephew, Mohd Fadhil Jaffar, via a post on Facebook today.
Mohd Fadhil described his aunt as a person who was well-liked and always philosophical. She was an inspiration and also one of the most successful among her siblings.
“(She) was very inspiring. She gained a lot of recognition through her success, being a famous novelist and respected writer… But there is also sadness behind the joy.
"She fought cancer until the end. Alhamdulillah, two weeks ago we had the opportunity to visit her. She was all smiles and joy despite the pain. She delighted in the love of children and grandchildren," he said.
Mohd Fadhil also prayed that his aunt is placed among the faithful.
Following Zohor, the body was buried at the USJ 22 Islamic Cemetery, Subang Jaya.
Zaharah, 82, who was born in Kampung Parit Jawa, Mukim Empat, Batu Pahat Johor, on May 5, 1940, began honing her writing skills at the age of 12.
Zaharah’s highest recognition was the Southeast Asian Writer’s Award (S.E.A Write Award) in September 1996 in Bangkok, Thailand for her novel 'Anugerah' as well as the Johor Literary Artist Prize, the Johor Darul Ta’zim Literary Prize in 1999.
She also served at Utusan Melayu as a journalist at Mingguan Malaysia. She was a member of the Editorial Board of Wanita magazine from 1968 to 1976. Zaharah's last position at Utusan Melayu was as the editor-in-chief of Mastika magazine.
She was the general editor of Malaysian Language Publishing at Berita Publishing (a subsidiary of The New Straits Times Group) from 1976 to 1985.
She was also the managing editor at Pustaka Cipta Sdn Bhd from 1985 to 1986. In addition, she was a Guest Artist of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka from 1997 to 1998.
Among the novels she wrote were Panglima Salleh, Selempang Merah; Jalur Sinar di Celah Daun; Azah Aziz: Kartika di Langit Seni; Anugerah; Sehelai Daun Yang Gugur; Haruman Kencana; Bulan dan Mentari; Di Hujung Penantian; Semangat Bunga; Wangian Bukit Peranginan and Warna dan Wajah. – Bernama, May 31, 2022
