KUCHING: In an era where the habit of reading books has declined among the younger generation, increasingly drawn to electronic devices and digital materials, Yusuf Mustanir maintains his daily reading habit.
Born on December 17, 1957, in Bau, Yusuf graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education from UPM and worked as a teacher. He writes short stories and radio drama scripts, winning several competitions organised by the Sarawak Branch of the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) and the Sarawak State Education Department (JPNS) in both genres.
Passion for reading
His life’s narrative is marked by a passion for reading that began at age five.
Yusuf credits his late father, a former customs officer, with fostering his love for reading. His father would bring home magazines and newspapers, igniting Yusuf’s interest in the written word.
“When I was five years old, I didn’t know how to read yet, but I liked flipping through the newspapers and magazines that he brought home. My interest persisted because my late father also liked to read. Every weekend, he would take me to bookstores around Kuching, such as the REK Bookstore near Tunku Abdul Rahman’s police station. At that time, I was delighted, and he would also give me the freedom to choose any books that I wanted,” he told New Sarawak Tribune in an interview recently.
Yusuf added that he frequently visited libraries around the city, especially the British Council Library, to borrow books.
“This interest did not stop when my late father was relocated to Sibu for work. I often visited the library there and went to Kedai Buku Rejang for reading materials. I admit, my late father played a big role in instilling this interest in reading. Until now, wherever I go, there must be a book, and what I hold dear is – no day without reading,” said the father of three.
Reading to be a “Learned Malaysian”
Through reading, Yusuf aims to become a “learned Malaysian,” well-informed about Malaysia’s happenings.
“Wherever I go, I carry a book with me, even in the car. I don’t like wasting time. If I attend an event where no one engages with me, I’ll read a book. This doesn’t mean I’m aloof. To me, leisure time should be filled with beneficial activities, including reading. When traveling, the first thing I ask is, where the bookstore is?” he shared.
Beyond enjoying reading, Yusuf believes it positively impacts his creative output and facilitates engaging in various discussions, especially in politics.
“Reading is crucial, as it not only adds to knowledge but also influences our thinking and actions, and keeps the mind young,” he explained.
As the eldest of ten siblings, Yusuf alone follows his late father’s reading passion.
His goal is to read 100 books annually, spanning politics, education, religion, and more. He has surpassed this target, having read over 100 books this year and over 1,000 in his lifetime.
While avidly reading, Yusuf also diversifies his materials for a comprehensive understanding of current issues.
“I read all kinds of newspapers, local and national, around nine of them. This is crucial because each editor presents news differently,” he said.
When asked about his favourite bookstores, Yusuf mentioned “Books Kinokuniya” in Kuala Lumpur, “POPULAR Book Store” at Matang Mall, Aeon Mall, and MPH Bookstores at The Spring in Kuching.
He buys about 100 books annually for reading and encourages his grandchildren and son-in-law to read, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing within the family.
Reader turned writer
Reflecting on his role as a writer, Yusuf emphasises the importance of continual learning through reading.
“As a writer, if you want to produce books or novels related to construction or development, you need to read books on engineering or relevant subjects. This is crucial because if we want to write, we need to be professionals and knowledgeable. Don’t just write for the sake of writing,” he advised.
Yusuf recounted his first radio drama, “Tok Uban,” in 1975, during his fifth form in secondary school.
Despite attending an English language school, he ventured into Malay language writing after a literary workshop at St Thomas’s Secondary School here.
“That was where I got to know National Laureate Datuk Usman Awang and gained a deeper understanding of Malay language writing. It was then that I started writing, and thankfully, with the payment I received for my writing, I managed to pay for my fifth form examination fees,” he reminisced.
Yusuf has produced over 300 radio drama scripts broadcasted by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) Sarawak and won the Sarawak Writer’s Literature Prize in 2013 and 2018, among other accolades.
“In addition, the first novel I wrote, ‘Semangat Tanah,’ won the second prize in a novel writing contest organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Sarawak, and my short story ‘Tanah Emas’ won the Esso-Gapena Sayembara Prize in 1988. I also wrote poems, articles, scripts for stage plays, and novels, and I never stopped reading or writing,” he said.
His works have been published in various magazines and newspapers such as Dewan Sastera, Dewan Masyarakat, Dewan Budaya, Dewan Bahasa, Berita Harian, Utusan Borneo, Suara Sarawak and New Sarawak Tribune.
Educational and professional background
Yusuf began his education at Kindergarten Nanyang Green Road, near here, and continued at Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan (SRK) Combined Kuching.
“After my late father’s relocation to Sibu, I studied sixth grade at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Abang Ali and then entered Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sacret Heart Sibu. He wanted me to major in law in London. However, he fell ill at 43, and we returned to Kuching, where he passed on August 19, 1971. I continued my schooling at SMK St. Joseph,” he said.
After completing Form Six, he obtained a Bachelor of Education degree from the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and a Master of Education (Educational Administration) from the Universiti Malaya (UM).
Yusuf’s career included a year as a teacher at SMK Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Gapor, serving as the principal of SMK Asajaya from 1991 to 1992, and working as an Education Officer in Kuching.
After retirement, he became a caregiver for his grandchildren while continuing his passion for reading and writing.
“Currently, I also plan to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or study law. This is my plan at the moment,” he said, affirming his belief that age should not limit one’s aspirations and interests.
