Indie publisher Rabak-Lit, a regular at the community-based book events, will be joining the inaugural Ipoh Alternative Bookfest on May 3 and 4. Photo: The Star/Filepic
If you’re based in the Klang Valley and looking for a weekend escape, consider heading north to the inaugural Ipoh Alternative Book Fest (IABF) in Perak on May 3 and 4.
IABF will take place on Level 1 of Moody Cafe, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz. The event, taking its lead from the KL Alternative Book Fest, is jointly organised by Projek Rabak, Moody Cafe dan Projek Rebel.
Matahari Books (a Buku Fixi imprint) is the main sponsor, alongside support from Buku Fixi and Ipoh’s P.O.R.T. (People of Remarkable Talents).
The (free admission) festival, a timely boost to Ipoh’s “indie city” credentials, features 16 independent publishers and collectives, including Matahari Books, Rabak-Lit, Story of Books, Buku Liar, Rocky Press, Studio Kaukab, BilekBuku, Toko Buku Rakyat, Sekutu Buku Anti Kemampanan, Biblio Books, Hubooks, Kawah Buku, and Kinta Zine Club.
The event will host a book market, workshops, talks, and performances from 10am-10pm (May 3) and 10am-7pm (May 4), celebrating alternative literary voices and culture in a Malaysian context.
“Whether you’re into indie publishing, music, performance art or simply love being part of conversations about literature, IABF promises something that will ignite your curiosity,” says Mohd Jayzuan, a writer, indie/experimental musician and founder of Projek Rabak.
‘In Malaysia, indie literary events may have a better shot at state funding than indie music – perhaps due to perception, but perceptions need to change,’ says Jayzuan. Photo: Sufian Abas
He adds that although there have been many events combining music, poetry, and film in the past, this will be the first time an official alternative book festival is being held in Ipoh.
With six Ipoh-based indie publishers participating in the IABF, the local connection will also be strongly represented.
The festival kicks off on May 3 with “CTRL+F Ipoh – Finding Ipoh in Zines,” a hands-on workshop by Kinta Zine Club exploring untold stories through DIY publishing. Later, a deep dive session will dive into Zulhezan’s poetic songwriting, tracing his journey from Akta Angkasa and Dirgahayu to solo work.
The evening continues with “Tubuh-Rumah Dan Amalan Sebagai Kajian”, a performative talk by mime and dance artist SEFA on the body as home and research.
To close the night, author Fazleena Hishamuddin takes the spotlight, with Natasha Aziz, Wan Syafiqah, and Qurratul ‘Ain leading a bold discussion on womanhood and expression.
'Objects Of Desire: 10 Malaysian Chinese Short Stories In Translation' (2025), edited by Lee Hao Jie,is part of the Ipoh Alternative Bookfest programme on May 4. The book is PEN Malaysia’s first publication, with Fixi handling distribution. Photo: PEN Malaysia
Day two opens with a contemporary Malay poetry workshop by Ipoh-born Jack Malik, followed by a book session on Mahua anthology Objects Of Desire (a PEN Malaysia project), featuring translator Dano Chow and editor Lee Hao Jie. A tribute to National Laureate Shahnon Ahmad includes dramatic readings of Angan-Angan Mr Proudfoot and Lagu Kitkitkit.
The festival wraps up with a poetry showcase featuring Jack Malik, Riduan A.dullah, Ashikin M., Natasha Aziz, Wan Syafiqah, Afifah Gentayang, Lovise Vee, and Karmaa – a celebration of rhythm, resistance, and raw verse.
Right size for sustainability
“Around 12 years ago, we (Projek Rabak) organised a small-scale book festival, back when indie publishing was still finding its footing. We haven’t done anything like it since – especially not on this scale,” says Jayzuan, best known as the frontman of the band Free Love in the early 2000s.
“During our discussions for IABF, we were clear that this should be a recurring festival, not just a one-off event. Smaller collectives like Projek Rebel already run their own book events—so this was about bringing everyone together in one shared space,” he adds.
Unlike the long-running Kuala Lumpur Alternative Book Fest (KLAB) – which ran its 16th edition at Central Market in late January – the Ipoh event will be more intimate, with Moody Cafe accommodating a modest crowd of up to 200. Still, Jayzuan insists that its smaller scale doesn’t compromise its impact.
‘There’s not much separating the reading cultures of Ipoh and KL, but hopefully with this book fest, we’ll see more of what Ipoh has to offer,’ says Amir. Photo: The Star/Yap Chee Hong
“We know the crowd size won’t match KL, but the curated activities and books will definitely resonate with Ipoh residents – and literary enthusiasts from KL can turn it into a short getaway to explore this part of Perak,” he says.
The recent KLAB was a five-day affair, with nearly 93,000 visitors in total.
These figures are on par with mainstream book fairs, highlighting the growing scale of the alternative book scene in the capital.
However, it’s encouraging to see the KLAB template significantly tweaked for the Ipoh event, with Matahari Books’ sponsorship playing a key role in getting things off the ground.
“It’s a manageable DIY event, with a table priced at RM200 for both days at IABF. Matahari has been a big supporter, but we hope to engage the Perak state government to help sustain the event in the future. In Malaysia, indie literary events may have a better shot at state funding than indie music –perhaps due to perception, but perceptions need to change,” says Jayzuan.
For poet Jack Malik, returning to his beloved Ipoh for IABF is more than a visit - it’s a homecoming.
“It’s high time Ipoh hosted an event like this, especially after gaining Unesco’s City of Music status in 2023. With more initiatives like IABF, I hope the 'City of Bougainvillea' will one day earn the City of Literature title - many talented writers come from here,” he says.
Ipoh now, which city next?
Like any true indie gathering, it’s the multi-generational audience that will bring the buzz and keep the spirit alive.
IABF’s strong nod to indie music in its programming promises to attract a crossover crowd, but Jayzuan hopes for a healthy balance in terms of book lovers at the upcoming event, with books in both Bahasa Malaysia and English – while other languages are expected in future editions.
The KL Alternative Bookfest, which returned to Central Market in 2022, has seen growing attendance each year. Taking it to other Malaysian cities and towns in smaller editions is part of its wider mission. Photo: The Star/Filepic
The IABF will test the Ipoh indie community’s reach, with literary culture driving its momentum.
“The first step is always an exciting one, but we are fortunate to have a small network of indie creatives still based in Ipoh. You can still meet up with writers, musicians, and artists here. Ipoh’s proximity to Kuala Lumpur is also an advantage,” says Jayzuan.
If there is a core group willing to make things happen in a city or town beyond the Klang Valley, and if outside support is forthcoming, there’s no reason to doubt that progress can be made.
Amir Muhammad, founder of independent publishing house Buku Fixi and a collaborator with Projek Rabak, echoes the sentiment that every Malaysian city or town has the potential to host its own alternative book fest – all it takes is intention and effort.
“There’s no copyright on the word ‘alternative’. Any town can organise its own book fest,” says Amir, who was also involved in Projek Rabak’s earlier book events.
“There’s not much separating the reading cultures of Ipoh and KL, but hopefully with this book fest, we’ll see more of what Ipoh has to offer. I will say that the literary scene here often moves in tandem with the trends of music and fashion,” he adds.
Though based in the Klang Valley, Ipoh-born poet Jack Malik has kept close ties to his hometown - and next month, he returns for IABF. Photo: Francoe
Unlike more traditional literary festivals like the George Town Literary Festival in Penang and KL’s Kalam literary event, the “Alternative Bookfest” label has great potential, attracting a range of subcultures, from the DIY zine community to the innovative art book and comics scene.
By embracing these diverse groups, it brings a dynamic, youthful energy to Malaysia’s literary landscape, challenging conventional norms and offering fresh perspectives.
Today, several indie bookshops, particularly in the Klang Valley, have effectively curated an “alternative book” inventory.
“While there are plenty of places to buy indie books, we want to nurture a culture that supports independent publishers, sparks discussion, and provides a platform for poetry performance.
"If we can do this consistently over the next few years, then the real question should be – why aren’t other towns doing the same?” concludes Amir.
