Writer. Researcher. Builder.
I write about the histories that Malaysia has not quite decided to remember.
BIO
Dina Zaman is a Malaysian writer and researcher. She is the author of four books, including Malayland (2024), and co-founded IMAN Research, which she was part of for eleven years. Her work traces the histories Malaysia has not qute decided to remember. She is the founder of 117 Holdings, and lives in Kuala Lumpur.
117 Holdings
117 Holdings Sdn Bhd is the company through which I work — research and advisory, and film and audio production under 117 Films.
Desta, an animated documentary on the history of African slaves in Terengganu, is in development. King of the Sea has been optioned by Wayang Works Malaysia.
See the full slate here.
PROJECTS
Desta - The Story of Ya
Dina and her collaborators at RnD Studio are developing an animated documentary on the history of African slaves in Terengganu. The project blends archival research, oral histories, and visual storytelling to recover a largely untold strand of Malaysian history.
King of the Sea – Screen Adaptation
Dina’s short story collection King of the Sea has been optioned by WayangWorks for screen adaptation. The project expands her coastal, magical-realist universe into a visual world of sea spirits, royal courts, and East Coast folklore.
Please refer to https://www.dinazaman.me/117
BOOKS
Dina writes at https://substack.com/@dinaszaman and her writing has been featured in The Jakarta Post, Stratsea.com, The Malay Mail Online, The Star, Malaysiakini.com and formerly the now defunct The Malaysian Insider.
I Am Muslim. Silverfish Books, 2007.
Holy Men, Holy Women. SIRD, 2017.
King of The Sea. Silverfish Books, 2012 . Republished with three new stories, Clarity Publishing, 2024.
Malayland. Ethos Publishing and Faction Press, 2024.
Email: dinazaman@gmail.com
My agent: Devina Sivagurunathan, devina@litagencysc.com