KUCHING: Pustaka Negeri Sarawak is gearing up for the third annual Sarawak Book Fair and Authors Festival, set to take place from Oct 28 to Nov 3 at The Hills, Kuching.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said this initiative aims to foster a stronger reading culture and knowledge-sharing within Sarawak, supporting the state’s vision of building a well-informed society by 2030.
“Sarawak 2024 is not the same as Sarawak 2014, and by 2030, we envision an even more developed, knowledgeable Sarawak. Reading and education are pivotal to achieving this.”he said.
He said this during a press conference held at Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Friday (Oct 25) emphasising the importance of reading in nurturing a knowledgeable, smart society.
“This book fair is about nation-building,” said Dr Sim.
He noted that Sarawak’s goal is to increase local book production, highlighting that last year, 648 titles were published in the state.
However, he urged that to reach international benchmarks, the number should be closer to 2,800 titles annually, given Sarawak’s population of 2.8 million.
“The festival, taking place alongside other major events like the Sarawak Regatta, will feature over 60 booths and 24 exhibitions, showcasing the diversity of local literature,”he said.
Organisers have planned more than 70 activities, ranging from children’s workshops to author engagements, aimed at attracting people of all ages to the event.
Dr Sim also noted the changing reading habits in the digital age, acknowledging that today’s readers often prefer digital formats over physical books.
“Whether it’s a hardcover book or digital content on a smartphone, the important thing is to keep reading and learning,” he added.
Pustaka Negeri Sarawak invites everyone to attend and participate in the book fair, not only to browse and enjoy the wide array of local publications but also to purchase books and support local authors.
“The event is expected to contribute significantly to Sarawak’s cultural and intellectual growth as the state aims to position itself as a hub of knowledge and talent,”he added.
