Protesting the government's crackdown on peaceful protesters in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday, distinguished poet and novelist A Samad Said said he will from now on not attend government functions.

"I don't know how my friends in government will react, but I will not accept any invitation from the government. For the moment, I will not entertain them," he said.

"If the opposition wins, then I will entertain," he quipped.

Samad made the comments in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini at a restaurant in Bangsar yesterday.

The 76-year-old national laureate has written some 70 books and is a common figure at government functions.

Full story: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/170005

Camera: Tan Jiun Wuu & Shufiyan Shukur

Editing: Tan Jiun Wuu