KUCHING: Reading is the key to producing knowledgeable communities in Sarawak.
In stating this Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law, MA63, and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Syed Aman Ghazali said it can contribute to Sarawak’s development in line with the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“PCDS 2030 cannot achieve its objectives if we still have shallow knowledge of what needs to be done to achieve the aspirations of PCDS 2030,” she said.
She was speaking at the 10-Minute Reading Together Programme and the National Decade of Reading closing ceremony at the Sarawak State Library here Tuesday.
In addition, she cited Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is seen as knowledgeable and well-versed in leading Sarawak, as a result of his reading hobby.
“If we look at our Sarawak Premier, he always tells me, and I always ask him how he gets good ideas. He answers, he always reads books. He reads books on airplanes, in cars, and at home.
“When you read a lot of books, then you have a lot of ideas. If we just sit and talk nonsense, ideas will only stay there.This is something very important because it not only provides intellectual benefits but also contributes to the happiness and well-being of others,” she said.
The 10-Minute Reading Together Programme and the National Decade of Reading are two separate programmes held jointly by the Sarawak State Library and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Malaysia (DBP).
Both programmes have the same objective, which is to strengthen the culture of knowledge and reading.
Also present were the Chairman of the Sarawak State Library Management Board, Datuk Dr. Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sarawak State Library, Japri Bujang Masli, and the Director of the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Malaysia (DBP) Sarawak Branch, Abang Haliman Abang Julai.
