KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is urging Malaysians to read more, lamenting a less-than-ideal reading culture in the country.
"Reading has not yet become a culture in our country, and that to me is disheartening. When we speak of a Madani nation, it is one that is rooted in conviction and love for knowledge," he said.
How can we claim to love knowledge if we only rely on speeches, opinions... sometimes filled with insults but not grounded in knowledge?
"Reading just four lines or listening to two-minute rants on social media and forming conclusions, this world is challenging and it demands individuals with deep knowledge," he said during his speech at the closing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2025 here on Sunday (June 1).
Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Dr Hazami Jahari and PBAKL 2025 organising chairman Mohd Khair Ngadiron.
The prime minister, however, expressed optimism that the reading culture could be cultivated, noting that the PBAKL 2025, which began on May 23, had received an encouraging response, recording a total of 1.8 million visitors.
Citing the success of developed nations, Anwar said such countries advanced because their people possessed deep knowledge and understanding.
"Look at developed countries – none have progressed while lacking knowledge," he said.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that efforts to elevate Malaysia as a great nation must be anchored in building a knowledgeable society that values a reading culture.
He said that in the pursuit of success, there remain political leaders, professionals, technocrats and intellectuals who overlook the development of culture.
"In the next five or ten years, we want to elevate Malaysia as a great nation in our region. To do that, we must be prepared to compete, to work and to truly read.
"Just look at the political and economic discourse in our country… it is not based on knowledge or reading. It is driven by sentiment, anger, hatred, judgment... even religion is turned into a platform (for political gain)," he said.
The Prime Minister challenged students, influencers and parents to promote the strengthening of intellectual foundations to realise the goal of uplifting the nation's stature.
PBAKL, themed 'Buku: Membaca, Memimpin' (Books: Read, Lead), concluded on Sunday, offering a wide variety of events and is regarded as one of the largest book fairs in Southeast Asia. – Bernama
