KUALA LUMPUR: While most vendors and staff at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2025 opted for t-shirts and jeans to stay comfortable amid the bustling crowd, a few stood out by donning creative costumes to draw visitors in.
A check at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here found one of the main attractions to be a cheerful tiger mascot, waving enthusiastically and winning the hearts of children who couldn’t resist stopping for photos and joining storytelling sessions.
Nur Asna Harun, 35, from the Kuala Lumpur Library’s Programme and Activities Unit, said the costume was more than just a gimmick – it served as a visual aid to capture children’s attention during interactive storytelling sessions and promote the library’s activities.
“I wear the tiger costume so the children stay focused and excited during the sessions. If I just speak plainly, they quickly lose interest. So I match the costume to the theme – sometimes I’m a fairy tale witch, sometimes a princess – and invite them to imagine along with me,” she said, Bernama reported.
Meanwhile, Shahrizal Selamat, who was promoting books related to child therapy, chose to wear medical scrubs with the label “Occupational Therapist”, reflecting his role as head of the Family Support Programme at the Education Ministry.
He said the attire helped him appear more approachable and trustworthy, especially when interacting with parents seeking resources for children with special needs such as autism, speech disorders or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
“We also use props like baby-sized dolls. When customers are intrigued, we take the opportunity to introduce the books while raising awareness about early intervention support for children in need,” he said.
Adding to the vibrant atmosphere was a group of male vendors dressed in traditional silat attire, complete with headgear, while the women wore black traditional outfits paired with batik cloths wrapped over their heads and draped over their shoulders – creating a scene reminiscent of a bygone warrior era.
Although it initially felt awkward to dress up in costume in public, Nur Adila Fadhlin Ruslan, 21, said she was heartened by the positive response, with many visitors offering compliments that strengthened her pride in portraying national heroes like Mat Kilau and Yamtuan Antah.
“We sell comics with historical and warrior themes, so we try to bring that setting to life. When we wear costumes, people get curious, come over to ask questions and often end up buying the books.
“Our title Rentap: Pahlawan Iban Yang Menggemparkan Penjajah is one of the bestsellers,” she said.
