proven to contain such elements when the mass media 
reports  and  statistics  are  referred  to.  The  issues  of 
poverty, oppression, distortion, social problem, vices, 
politics and polygamy are among issues which always 
take  place  in  the  society.  Nonetheless,  not  all  are 
revealed.  Only  selected  cases  are  exposed  to  the 
public. 
Besides the aforementioned issues, Shahnon also 
gives focus on matters pertaining to death; either the 
after-death  life  or  the  life  heading  towards  death. 
Those works of Shahnon resemble life stages which 
include the final stage of life, the reminder of death, 
the imagination of death and the wait for the onset of 
death.  To  illustrate,  such  matters  are  contained  in 
several  short  stories  in  anthology  Jeritan Pulau 
(2011).    Even  before  that,  Shahnon  produces  few 
short stories with the theme of death - “Lagu Kit-Kit” 
and “Mayat”.  However, these two short stories tell 
the reactions of the family members when facing the 
death of a family member. This is different from the 
short  stories  in  Jeritan Pulau, which  attempts  at 
exploring the souls of those waiting for their family 
member’s  death  onset.  The  short  story  “Kematian” 
tells how the family is in high hope that the mother’s 
life is ended, for they cannot bear seeing the suffering. 
This is similar to the short story “Ipin” in which the 
family is waiting for the eternal farewell. This clearly 
shows  that  Shahnon  Ahmad  does  not  limit  his 
writings to certain issues only. He even successfully 
explores the emotions of every character. The sketch 
of anxiety in his works touches readers’ hearts and it 
is  able  to  make  readers  develop  certain  feelings  of 
happiness and sadness. Indeed, not all authors have 
the ability to present the soul struggle in a character 
the way Shahnon does. This ability is such a forte for 
Shahnon Ahmad that it makes the storyline alive and 
fresh.  The  same  applies  to  some  of  his  works 
portraying  the  intimate  issues  between  men  and 
women as contained in the novels Sutan Baginda and 
Tivi.    In  relation  with  this,  some  literature  activists 
regard these two novels as polluted with pornography 
elements.  
The  novels  Sutan Baginda and TIVI are among 
those which have gained popularity among the public 
as they describe pretty hot scenes alongside with the 
social issues that are challenging to the Malays. The 
novel  Sutan Baginda  tells  a  political  journey  of  its 
first  character,  Sutan  Baginda.  He  is  an  ambitious 
politician  who  aims  at  holding  the  highest  political 
position. Therefore, he is willing to do anything for 
the sake of getting what he wants. Even though he has 
already had two wives, he still possesses a mistress. 
His  relationship  with  Fidah  is  well  known  and 
approved by  Fidah’s  parents. However,  this  lady  is 
quite  cunning  and  she  is  not  ready  to  be  Sutan 
Baginda’s mistress forever. Instead, she works hand 
in  hand  with  Sutan  Baginda’s  enemy,  Nirwan. 
Fidah’s action is worrisome to Sutan Baginda. He is 
confident that Fidah will reveal all his evil plans to let 
down  Nirwan.    This  anxiety  and  disappointment 
make him experience an emotional disturbance. The 
novel ends in a state in which Sutan Baginda becomes 
insane. 
The novel TIVI, on the other hand, describes the 
character  Chah  who  works  in  a  factory,  and  starts 
living freely. Her  dressings begin  to  change and  so 
does her social lifestyle. She brings home a television 
and a video player for her family entertainment. The 
family,  who  was  once  very  obedient  towards  the 
command of Allah has lost focus when they indulge 
in  the  various  rapturous  television  programmes.  
Chah  has  also  unashamedly  brought  home  her 
boyfriend  and sleep  over  together  in her room.  The 
climax of the novel is when Chah brings home a video 
player  and  a  pornographic  compact  disc.  The 
existence  of  these  entertainment  tools  has  invited 
negative consequences when incest and rape happen. 
The  television  brought  back  by  Chah  has  totally 
changed  the  lifestyle  of  the  family  till  Mat  Isa  and 
Chah have no  longer felt guilty of committing sins. 
This novel ends with the death of Chah’s family 
member  being  struck  by  lightning.  Even  so,  Chah 
who  is  the  main  culprit  is  safe.  Maybe  the  author 
wants to develop a sense of repentance in Chah’s soul 
and make her return to God.  
Even though the novels Sutan Baginda and TIVI
 
both portray social issue, there are other issues, too, 
shown  in  Sutan Baginda. Sutan Baginda reflects 
Shahnon Ahmad’s observations and anxiety towards 
the social phenomenon hitting the country. The moral 
decay and vices illustrated by Shahnon is not a mere 
empty  talk.  It  is  an  alarming  societal  issue.  As 
highlighted  by  Shahnon  Ahmad  in  both  the  novels, 
the  phenomenon  implicates  the  Malays  who  are 
synonymous to the Muslim. Indeed, Shahnon Ahmad 
is neither imagining nor fantasising. What has been 
sketched by Shahnon Ahmad is a tragedy impacting 
young girls, parents and many others. In fact, today it 
is  getting  more  serious.  Baby  dumping  cases  are 
increasing and inverse relationships are getting their 
place  in  the  society.  This  proves  how  Shahnon 
Ahmad  writes  with  his  caring  thinking  towards  the 
society. Hence, he may be regarded as a writer who 
contributes towards the society’s development. If the 
works  are  meticulously  analysed,  they  are  full  with 
sarcasm,  satire  and  total  exposure  towards  the 
phenomenon  hitting  the  country.  This  is  because