Mother’s Day Special: Mother and Writer, in that order

11 May 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Kathirina Susana Tati was born in 1958, the daughter of a policeman. Her early years coincided with the dawn of Sabah’s independence. As the eldest of ten siblings, she faced numerous challenges from a young age.

“I come from a large family, being one of ten siblings. My father served during and after the tumultuous years of the Second World War. Following independence, he took early retirement and was subsequently employed as a security guard and watchman, a position recommended by the police commissioner. We moved out of the police barracks into government quarters, marking a new chapter in our lives.”

“During this period, my mother took on the significant responsibility of heading our household. She worked tirelessly to support my father. Her main employment was at a food factory, where she endured long hours of labour.”

“In the evenings, my father, mother, and I — as the eldest — would go fishing together to catch fish, crabs, and prawns. Early each morning, before I headed to school, we would sell our freshly caught seafood at the market,” she recalls.

Through her mother’s hard work and sacrifices, Kathirina learned invaluable lessons about resilience and perseverance. Her mother’s struggles instilled in her a deep appreciation for the importance of hard work and determination in overcoming life’s challenges.

Despite facing difficulties in formal education, Kathirina’s desire to learn never waned. She attended school regularly, often balancing her studies with her responsibilities at home. Her perseverance paid off; she gradually overcame the hardships of her childhood through resilience and unwavering commitment. Her early experiences taught her that, despite difficulties, hope and perseverance could lead to a brighter future.

It was during these formative years that she turned to writing. Kathirina has been engaged in literary pursuits since her school days. After completing her Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) in 1975, she dedicated herself to writing, submitting short stories and poetry to local newspapers and Radio Sabah.

“My writing activity slowed considerably after I married, although I continued to send most of my work to Radio Malaysia Sabah and had it published in local newspapers, tabloids, and magazines. However, in 1994, I rekindled my literary pursuits when I became a member of the Sabah Writers’ Association (Persatuan Penulis Ikatan Penulis Sabah, IPS).”

“My short story titled ‘Maut Mengamit Pulang’ won the Sabah Literary Award in 1996/97, which inspired me to write enthusiastically and submit more work to newspapers and the Sabah Writers’ Association. I was honoured to receive the Prolific Writer Award in recognition of my efforts.”

Academically, Kathirina holds diplomas in Hotel and Tourism Management and Business Management. She also attained an Executive Master’s Degree in Business Management.

Her career in the hospitality industry spanned several hotels from her twenties until recently. Working her way up from entry-level positions to managerial roles, she managed to juggle her professional commitments with her responsibilities as a mother and her passion for writing. Despite the demands of her career and family life, her love for writing remained steadfast.

“I honed my craft through workshops led by notable writers such as Osman Putih, Azmah Nordin, R. Hamzah Dua, Hasyuda Abadi, Datuk Jasni Matlani, and others. Under their mentorship, I gradually established my name in the literary world. Travelling across various parts of the Nusantara region also enriched my understanding and appreciation of different cultures and storytelling traditions.”

“I actively participated in several writers’ associations across Malaysia, including one representing ethnic writers in Sabah, which allowed me to explore and understand my Kadazandusun heritage — an area I had not previously studied extensively.”

“Through research into my roots, I incorporated cultural practices, beliefs, customs, and traditions into my works. Many of my award-winning pieces celebrate and promote Kadazandusun culture. Beyond short stories and novels that highlight our cultural heritage, I also write traditional poetry, create picture stories for children based on local folktales, and perform traditional songs both within Sabah and abroad.”

Her literary journey has taken her to various countries, where she has participated in festivals and storytelling events in India (Madras and Kerala), Singapore, Thailand (Bangkok and Songkhla), Brunei, Indonesia (Kalimantan — Palangkaraya, Riau, Padang, Palembang, Jakarta, Bandung), Peninsular Malaysia, Labuan, Sabah, and Sarawak.

Additionally, she has authored children’s storybooks based on Sabah folk tales, which are included in the anthology ‘Saya Anak Malaysia’. These stories have been translated into Japanese, as well as bilingual Malay-Tamil and Malay-Russian editions. She continues to write poetry, submitting her work to publishers in India and Mexico.

Her literary achievements include winning the Sabah Literary Award five times (1996/97, 2016/17, 2018/19, 2020/21, and 2022/23). She has also been recognised as a prominent figure in Sabah’s literary scene, receiving awards such as the Sabah Writer’s Icon (2016), an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Prixton Church and University, USA (September 2021), and the World Parliament of Peace Lifetime Achievement – Noble Peace Personality Award in India (2021). In 2024, she was honoured with the Inspiration Woman Award for her extensive work promoting Kadazandusun culture.

Over the years, she has authored twenty books and edited twenty-four anthologies of poetry and short stories. Having recently retired from the hotel industry, she now devotes herself fully to her writing, with hopes for many more works to come.

Now with grown children and grandchildren in her life, Kathirina’s greatest legacy is the values she imparts: unity, unconditional love, and a zest for life. The upbringing and principles instilled in her especially regarding family have shaped her into the woman she is today.

Having retired, Kathirina now dedicates herself fully to her writing.