So much time to read, but Malaysia's book stores are closed. What now?

Tintabudi bookshop in Kuala Lumpur will remain shut for the duration on the movement control order in Malaysia. Founder Nazir Harith Fadzilah says the store will rely on online sales to sustain itself. Photo: The Star/Azlina Abdullah

Homegrown independent bookstore owners and literary groups will be heavily affected by the two-week movement control order (MCO) that was announced on March 16. With their businesses temporarily ordered to close, many are worried about an uncertain future, with some resorting to new methods to keep themselves afloat.

Elaine Lau, co-owner of Petaling Jaya bookstore Lit Books, says in light of the MCO, their physical store in Petaling Jaya had to be closed, and two major in-store events postponed. She and her husband, fellow co-founder Min Hun, had not expected things to escalate as quickly as they did, and that they would be in an environment of restricted movement.