PENGUNJUNG SETIA

07 September 2013

CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR DIES

BATU PAHAT: Jawi script advocate and children's book author Mohammad @ Mokhtar Talib, 76, who is popularly known as Pak Matlob, passed away at his home in Semerah here yesterday.

Pak Matlob, who is also an expert in modern Jawi script, died at 6pm after a bout of fever since Wednesday.

His wife Khalifah Md Yusof, 66, said Pak Matlob, who had been paralysed following a stroke last year, passed away after a marhaban function at their home in conjunction with Hari Raya.

"He developed fever during the function but appeared healthy. 

"He was also mingling and asking for forgiveness from the guests.

"After the marhaban group and guests had left, I felt that his hands were cold and he constantly looked at my face," Khalifah said, adding that her husband went silent and passed away a few minutes later.

She said his remains would be buried at 10am today at Sungai Nibong Muslim cemetery.

Pak Matlob, who was also a former teacher, also leaves behind three sons and three daughters, aged between 35 and 53 years.

He started writing children books in 1953 and also wrote features on education, literature and culture. 

He wrote his first drama script entitled, Mekarlah Mawar-Mekarlah Harapan, which was staged at the Muar Cathay Theatre on May 28, 1965.

Pak Matlob wrote 11 youth novels and 107 children novels, before he was appointed head of the Jawi Education Unit at Utusan Melayu.

He had also produced numerous reading and research materials on modern Jawi writing.

SOURCE: NST, SEPTEMBER 07, 2013

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