HIKAYAT

Available online at www.mybooks.com.my

Alhamdulillah.

I just came back from Utusan Publishers office. Picked up Hikayat hot off the printing press.

A bit teary and wondrously happy that Hikayat is finally printed and should be in the bookstores at the end of the month or so.

I have so many people to thank. First and foremost my Mum, Puan Kamariah Jaafar who edited and wrote introductions for each story in hikayat. My late grandmother, for telling me the stories all those years until she passed away. The last story we shared over and over again was NAGA Tasik Chini. MrsKhaw Choon Ean is the most loved English teacher by her students at Seri Puteri - I can't thank her enough for encouraging and nurturing my love for poetry. To these three strong women, I owe my chosen life vocation to reviving interest in the Malay Hikayat in this format.

I would like to thank Prof Ding Choo Ming of ATMA, UKM, Prof Tan Sri Khoo Kay Kim and Adiguru Pak Nasir for their feedback and guidance while I was writing Hikayat.

This book was truly the result of hardwork by so many people. YM Raja Toh Puan Raja Teh Zaitun Raja Kamarulzaman inspired the title Hikayat, Datin Vasanthi coordinated the lay-out, Evelyn Lam did the design, Ram, Iman and Inas did research and proofreading. The beautiful cover art by Raduan Man and illustrations by Malek Rahim took the book to another level.

Many years ago, Jit Murad said to me, if you want to write a book, make sure it is something important. Make it big! His kind words of encouragement still stay with me until today.

Two people have been there for me when Hikayat was just an idea, waiting to be written. Until today, these two wonderful people God has chosen to include in my life stand by me - my editor, Noor Fuzana Yaakub and my husband, Rudy Daud. Without them, I would not have had the strength to continue this journey of discovery of the Ancient Malay Kingdoms - Hikayat.

I thank God for the blessings I have received.