KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s largest trilingual book fair, BookFest @ Malaysia, is back at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from now until April 6.
With the theme “Gateway to Knowledge”, the 19th edition of the event celebrates the limitless possibilities of reading, where every book opens a new world of wisdom, discovery and imagination.
Spanning 9,290sqm across Hall 1-5, BookFest @ Malaysia 2025 will showcase over 500 booths featuring a vast selection of Chinese, English and Malay literature, along with educational tools, IT gadgets and collectibles.
Recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records in 2016 as the nation’s largest trilingual book exposition, the festival continues to be a premier destination for book lovers, offering a diverse and enriching literary experience.
Beyond books, visitors can enjoy diverse activities, including author sharing sessions, a children’s choir competition, an anime and comic cosplay event as well as cooking demonstrations.
Popular Holdings Limited chairman Yiu Chi Shing highlighted the festival’s role in fostering a reading culture.
“Each year, BookFest @ Malaysia gathers a diverse collection of books and activities that attract visitors from all over the country,” he said at the event’s opening ceremony yesterday.
Yiu stressed their commitment to literacy through the Popular Cares initiative.
“As part of our corporate social responsibility, we will provide reading resources to four NGOs and 12 schools nationwide.”
Additionally, he said Popular has continued its collaboration with Sin Chew Daily through the Hope for Reading Charity Campaign, which helps children in rural areas gain access to quality books.
This year, visitors can support the cause by purchasing the Hope for Reading limited-edition bookmark postcards and tote bags, with proceeds benefiting the campaign, Yiu said.
Furthermore, the Popular-The Star Readers’ Choice Awards and Popular BH-Anugerah Pilihan Pembaca continue to honour outstanding local authors.
Introduced in 2008, these awards aim to celebrate literary excellence in English and Malay respectively, in partnership with Star Media Group (SMG) and Berita Harian.
New to BookFest @ Malaysia 2025 is the Selangor SJK(C) Chinese Storytelling Competition, where talented young storytellers will take centre stage to showcase their storytelling skills and confidence.
“By nurturing young talent, we hope to inspire a lifelong love for reading,” Yiu added.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching stressed the importance of reading in today’s fast-changing digital landscape.
“There is no shortcut to enlightenment; we must read, learn and evolve continuously,” she said, encouraging Malaysians to prioritise reading as a habit.
She also urged the public to embrace both traditional and digital media as tools for lifelong learning.
In line with its commitment to education, Popular presented RM30,000 in donations to Rumah Hope, Yayasan Sunbeams Home, House of Love and Shelter Home for Children under the Children’s Carnival 3.0 @ Popular campaign.
Furthermore, 12 school principals received an additional RM1,000 worth of Popular book vouchers as part of the Fiction Carnival @ Popular initiative, which has helped equip 185 school libraries across Malaysia.
The opening ceremony also saw the launch of Ne Zha merchandise, including Ne Zha Game Cards and Ne Zha’s Past in The Three Realms book, inspired by China’s billion-dollar box office sensation, Ne Zha 2.
Ne Zha is a legendary figure from Chinese mythology, often depicted as a young deity with incredible strength and magical abilities.
Among those present at yesterday’s event were SMG group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt, chief operating officer Lydia Wang, senior news editor (education) Christina Chin, Sin Chew Media Corporation Berhad’s deputy executive editor-in-chief Chen Yoke Lim, Kayou operation manager of South-East Asia Bruce Chai and M&M Creations Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Ben Lee.
