New chapter: Che Mohammad Dollah, better known as Che Mat, has relocated his secondhand bookstore to Kompleks Perhentian Kajang, Selangor. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
Secondhand booksellers are a resilient lot – these purveyors of the written word find comfort within their community and take life’s challenges in stride, even if it means finding a new place to call home.
Take for instance the traders at Bazar Karat Streetmall in Bangi Gateway, Selangor.
These booksellers banded together to form Pertubuhan Kota Buku Bangi, a collective aimed at supporting their businesses, which was thriving until last year when management decided to shut down the bazaar.
The traders – seven of whom specialised in secondhand books and who had been a fixture since 2019 – faced the daunting prospect of relocation.
Yet, as the old saying goes, when one door closes, another opens.
Kompleks Perhentian Kajang has a new purpose after five secondhand booksellers from Bangi Gateway moved into the complex to set up a book hub. — Photos: SHAARI CHE MAT, AZMAN GHANI and LOW BOON TAT/The Star
Five of the booksellers sought refuge at Kompleks Perhentian Kajang in Selangor.
Among them was Che Mohamad Dollah, or Che Mat, who operates GMS Buku. As deputy chairman of the collective, Che Mat shares a rental unit with Koleksi Bonda Zaleha.
“When the bazaar closed, we brainstormed on where to go and chose Kajang for its proximity and connectivity,” he said.
“It is better if we are all in one location.
“There were many empty units too, so we had rental options and could invite more booksellers to join us.
“Since we had established ourselves at Bangi Gateway, we needed to inform the public about our new location,” he added.
Abdul Halim, also known as Cheklem, buys books from people’s personal collections and booksellers who have gone out of business.
Selangor book stop
In Kajang, the booksellers rebranded as Hentian Buku Selangor, a hub that is thriving.
Events like forums and book fairs have breathed new life into the collective, inviting individuals to sell personal collections for a small fee and promoting sustainability by encouraging secondhand purchases.
Joining this vibrant hub are businesses like Coretan Buku Terpakai and The Bibliophile Bookshop.
Coretan Buku Terpakai owner Abdul Halim Ismail, or Cheklem, saw potential in this opportunity.
“I live in Puchong and have a store there. I have been selling books online since the late ’90s and went full-time after early retirement about 10 years ago.
“This space allows customers to see the books in person,” he said.
The only secondhand bookshop in The Zhongshan Building is Balai Buku Raya.
Trust among book lovers
Cheklem, though not always at his Kajang shop, entrusts Che Mat with the keys, underscoring the trust within this community.
“All my books are clearly priced; readers don’t steal, thieves don’t read,” he quipped.
“I have regular customers, and so far it’s been good,” he added.
Cheklem’s approach to business is filled with integrity, as he buys books from personal collections and booksellers who have closed shop.
“There is still so much life in these books.
“I started by selling my collection because it was taking up too much space. I am grateful that my passion for books has turned into a business that helps people and sustains me.
“For avid readers, it is the content that matters, not the appearance. As long as the books are in decent condition and legible, they have value that can be passed on,” he pointed out.
Nor Baharuddin Jidin, a regular customer, appreciates the bargains in secondhand books.
“New books can be expensive. I am into books on self-improvement and Islam. Cheklem has a good selection of those genres. If you are buying to read, it is a good deal,” he said.
Kiridaren believes the new book hub has great potential due to its location next to the bus station and proximity to UKM.
Location with good potential
Kiridaren Jayakumar, founder of The Bibliophile Bookshop, was one of the first booksellers to move to the new location.
“After the success of my first bookshop in Petaling Jaya, I wanted to reach a larger audience. I see great potential in this new place.
“Besides being close to the bus station, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is also nearby, so students can come here for reading materials.
“The complex also houses a few government agencies, increasing foot traffic during weekdays. Weekends tend to be quiet unless we host events to attract people,” he said.
While the complex currently does not have much buzz surrounding it, Kiridaren said many sellers had other avenues to make a profit.
“There are online platforms through which customers can reach us.
“However, the best sales usually come from book fairs, which attract large crowds,” he noted.
The official launch of Hentian Buku Selangor last December, attended by Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, marked a new chapter.
Syahredzan praised the initiative, stating, “Creating an interactive hub for book lovers is admirable. With the right support, I believe Hentian Buku Selangor can become a new landmark and help promote the reading culture.
“The location is also near Bandar Baru Bangi, known as Bandar Ilmu (City of Knowledge). Reading opens up limitless imagination.
“I hope the public will support this initiative by visiting the bookshops and making purchases.”
Zari (left) attending to a visitor at his booth at the flea market in Amcorp Mall.
Discovering hidden treasures
The allure of secondhand books lies in the hidden gems they hold.
Azhari Mahmood, a reseller specialising in rare editions, captures this sentiment.
“I sell secondhand books and related merchandise at a kiosk in the weekend flea market in Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya.
“I specialise in rare books, some of which I buy from other sellers at the flea market,” he said.
It takes experience, knowledge and a keen eye to spot such hidden gems amid piles of books, a common sight at secondhand bookstores, he added.
Zari, as he is known, said many people have valuable books in their homes, especially those related to the British colonial period, focusing on culture, people and history.
“I have made many overseas trips to acquire such books, which sell for much higher prices in Malaysia due to great demand,” he said.
The collective under the Hentian Buku Selangor initiative holds events such as book fairs at Kompleks Perhentian Kajang, where individuals can sell their personal collections for a small fee. — Filepic
Izzudin Harith, one of Zari’s regulars, finds nostalgia and adventure in his purchases.
“There is satisfaction in understanding the perception of the story at the time it was written,” he reflected.
“While history remains unchanged, its perception evolves over time.”
“For example, a book on a Mount Everest expedition written in the 1920s describes the early exploration and attempts to summit the world’s highest peak.
“Through the book, I felt the challenges and determination of the early mountaineers. I wasn’t even born when the book was published, but it inspired me to visit Mount Everest,” he said.
Izzudin, from Petaling Jaya, said he bought books from all genres for casual reading.
“I have a farm and often bring my book to read there. I also have a passion for travel and adventure. Before a journey, I like to read about the places I plan to visit, to fully appreciate them when I get there,” he said.
More options
For those seeking more literary escapades, other secondhand treasures await at Menara Mutiara Majestic in Petaling Jaya, where The Bibliophile Bookshop’s first store is located, besides Pelita Dhihin Book Store and Toko Buku Pujangga Baru.
Book seekers can also head to Jalan Tun HS Lee in Kuala Lumpur and visit Riwayat Bookstore, Junk Bookstore, and Bukuku Press.
The Zhongshan Building, also in Kuala Lumpur, is a cultural hub housing various creative spaces, including independent bookshops.
It previously had two secondhand bookstores –Tintabudi and Balai Buku Raya.
However, Tintabudi has since relocated to Taman Tun Dr Ismail in Kuala Lumpur, leaving only Balai Buku Raya there.
The resilience of these secondhand bookstores, especially in a time where information and stories in the digital realm are threatening to subsume the printed word, is a story of hope and renewal bound by a shared love for stories.
