KUCHING (Oct 1): The Sarawak Book Fair 2025, held in conjunction with the Karnival Baca Perdana, has been described as a meaningful manifestation of efforts to strengthen national unity through the power of knowledge.
Deputy Minister of National Unity Saraswathy Kandasami said the event was not just about book sales, but an important platform to promote a reading culture and foster harmony among Malaysia's diverse communities.
"Reading must be seen as a basic necessity in uniting the people and nation, driving development alongside infrastructure and the economy.
"Without an informed society, physical progress alone will not bring true advancement," she said when officiating at the Sarawak Book Fair 2025 and Karnival Baca Perdana launch yesterday.
The event was officiated by Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who was accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
Saraswathy pointed out that this year's combined approach gave the event greater impact, as it merged two major programmes to attract more visitors and boost book sales.
She said the model had proven successful when first introduced during the National Unity Week celebration in Penang, and is now being replicated in Sarawak to further strengthen collaboration between the ministry, government agencies, publishers and local communities.
"With close cooperation between these stakeholders, this programme is expected to be a key catalyst in nurturing a reading culture while driving intellectual and economic development in the state, in line with the Malaysia Madani aspiration which places knowledge and unity as the foundation of national progress," she added.
Saraswathy also highlighted that the fair provides wider access to quality reading materials for youths, rural communities, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
"This initiative aligns with Malaysia Madani's aspiration of building a progressive and balanced society through knowledge," she added.
During the same ceremony, Wan Junaidi also launched several new books and presented the 2024 Active Reader Recognition Award as well as prizes for the Bicara Berirama: Unity in Diversity competition.
The Sarawak Book Fair 2025 and Karnival Baca Perdana, running from Sept 27 to Oct 5 at The Hills, features 32 exhibitors from local and international organisations, including the National Library of Malaysia, Karangkraf, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Press, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Sarawak, Popular Book Co, and MPH Bookstores.
Among the highlights of the nine-day event are a massive book sale by Big Bad Wolf, knowledge-sharing sessions, writing workshops, oratory competitions, an e-sports zone, book donation campaign, agency exhibitions and a variety of edutainment activities for families.
Also present at the launch were National Library of Malaysia director-general Edy Irwan Zulkafli, Sarawak State Library management board chairman Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen, and Sarawak State Library chief executive officer Japri Bujang Masli.