JOHOR BARU: The Johor International Book Bazaar aims to attract some 500,000 visitors this year, says state executive councillor Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali.
The information and education committee chairman said the five-day book bazaar, which began on Friday (Aug 21), had received close to 100,000 visitors as of noon on Saturday (Aug 22).
“Last year, the bazaar managed to attract some 230,000 visitors, and this year, we had initially aimed to increase the number to 300,000.
“However, looking at the crowd here, I think we should be able to attract at least 500,000 visitors throughout the event,” he told reporters after officiating the event at Paradigm Mall on Saturday (Aug 22).
Dr Muhammad Naqib said the book bazaar, now in its fifth year, brings together 85 exhibitors from Malaysia and seven other countries, namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, China and India.
He added that the event, organised by the Johor Public Library Corporation (PPAJ), had also received recognition from Asean Records as the first government-initiated international book bazaar in Malaysia.
“Normally, such events are coordinated by the private sector.
“But this is an initiative by the state government, through PPAJ, which brings together various government agencies and the private sector in one place.
“Not only is it the first in the country, but it has also been recognised as the 11th in Southeast Asia and the 44th in Asia,” he said.
He said the state government was also keen to continue organising the bazaar following the encouraging response.
“Books remain an important source of reference as the information they contain has been vetted and can provide people with reliable information.
“Efforts such as this must continue to give the public access to credible sources of information while encouraging more writers to produce their own works.
“Writing is also a form of art, and it is something that we need to continue supporting,” he said.
Besides book sales, the bazaar features talks, meet-the-author sessions, children's storytelling activities, heritage trails, radio programmes, Johor traditional attire and various family activities.
The bazaar runs until Tuesday (Aug 25).
