Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Shamhary Mustapha launching the digital book platfrom and the latest published book. - BB
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The World Book Day celebration will include a roadshow in May at Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Primary School, where four main activities will be held – division’s activities, storytelling session, mobile library and registration of library membership.
It is hoped that the roadshow will bring the community closer to books to continue to read, love and appreciate books, Acting Director of Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) Suip Abdul Wahab said.
The celebration, he said, hopes to instil the culture of reading to produce knowledgeable, innovative and civilised individuals.
“The celebration also hopes to bring benefits to the department, especially in opening opportunities to young or new writers to continue working on producing books regardless of genre.”
He said this at a ceremony where the DBP under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports on Wednesday (April 23) officially launched its digital book platform as well as the latest published book to mark the World Book Day celebration.
The acting director also said the DBP is launching 40 digital book titles covering e-book and audio book as well as book titles in video format.
Five new published books were also launched on Wednesday.
Following the launch, the guests enjoyed a syair performance followed by a talk by Chief Counsellor of Royal Brunei Airlines Lieutenant (Rtd) Diny Karim, who is also President of Persatuan Kaunseling Brunei (PEKA).
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Shamhary Mustapha, the guest of honour, presented the latest published book to the writer as well as certificates of appreciation to the speaker and syair performer.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) declared April 23 as World Book Day to encourage the reading culture, publishing and preserve book copyright.
The DBP held the World Book Day Celebration 2025 as a strategic effort by the department to inspire the community to love books and enjoy reading, especially among children and the community.
It is the effort by the department to further emphasise the importance of reading as a bridge of knowledge to all segments of society with this year’s theme ‘Read in Your Style’ or ‘Read Your Way’. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
