READING may appear to be a simple habit, but in Sarawak, its significance goes far deeper than a mere pastime.
For Deputy State Secretary Datuk Hii Chang Kee, reading plays an important role in supporting Sarawak’s ambition to become a developed state.
He said the state government consistently encourages Sarawakians, particularly young people, to strengthen their English proficiency and take up STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.
“This is part of our aspiration to build a more advanced, competitive and globally connected Sarawak.
“Reading is one of the best ways to build that foundation,” he said when launching the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) book sale in Kuching last month.
Accordingly, Hii welcomed events like BBW for bringing books closer to the people and cultivating a strong reading culture among the younger generation.
By making books available and accessible, he said, the event gave children, students and families the opportunity to learn English naturally, enjoyably and meaningfully.
“I’m therefore pleased that Big Bad Wolf continues to make Kuching one of your regular destinations, bringing the experience to Sarawakians year after year,” he added.
Sarawak State Library chief executive officer Japri Bujang Masli agreed that the book sale was important in light of Sarawak’s vision to be a developed and high-income state by 2030.
“As humans, we depend on knowledge and information. On that premise, if you want to be highly competitive, achieve high-income and developed status, the need for knowledge and information is enormous,” he said.
Japri said knowledge obtained through formal education must be complemented by a reading culture and lifelong learning.
It is through reading that engineers, lawyers, doctors and other professionals will gain a creative and competitive edge, he said.
“We need doctors, engineers, lawyers who read about arts, philosophy, human psychology, environment – then we will have better professionals.
“So, events like Big Bad Wolf are very important and strategic in view of the state’s vision to be a developed and high-income state by 2030.
“That’s why I, professionally and personally, really support this type of event.”
Japri encouraged Sarawakians from all walks of life to make the most of the event.
“Of course, if you cannot afford to buy, go to the state library. We provide books for free,” he added with a laugh.
The BBW book sale was in Kuching from Aug 25 to Sept 6, offering direct access to affordable English-language titles to help build lasting reading habits at home, in schools and across local communities.
This ties in with its mission to spark a lifelong joy of reading by making literature accessible.
“We are thrilled to return to Kuching, where reading, education and English-language learning are deeply valued,” BBW public relations senior manager Chloe Lim said.
“Our goal is to bring stories closer to the community and make reading an accessible, engaging part of daily life for Sarawakians of all ages.”
Visitor Michelle Lau said she was looking for books for her baby son, indicating that it is never too early to start cultivating the reading habit.
“There are a lot of book choices here and I find it very interesting,” she said.
