KUALA LUMPUR, June 1 — Book vouchers will be handed out to more than 400,000 teachers this year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the effort is part of the government’s ongoing initiative to promote reading, especially among students of all levels, and added that teachers have a great duty to disseminate knowledge as well as playing a role in fostering students’ interest in reading.
“This year, we are giving vouchers to all teachers. Next year we will look at the economic situation first because we are fighting (United States President) Donald Trump’s tariffs,” he said.
Anwar said this when officiating the closing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.
Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, PBAKL organising chairman Mohd Khair Ngadiron, and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Hazami Jahari.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, announced that the provision of book vouchers to students of higher learning institutions would continue with the existing allocation, but suggested modifications to the initiative.
He said clear guidelines on the provision of book vouchers are needed to prevent claims or purchases of poor-quality publications.
“There should be guidelines, not all the books purchased are of quality and promote knowledge,” he said.
He also praised the PBAKL for encouraging reading. He expressed his appreciation to parents and teachers who brought their children and students to obtain reading materials at the festival.
Anwar also participated in a special session to review four books — Kemiskinan Melayu dan Jalan Kepulihannya by Za’ba, Jejak-jejak di Pantai Zaman by Ungku A. Aziz, Fikrah Siddiq Fadzil: The Image of Malay-Islamic Culture and Civilization by Dr. Siddiq Fadzil, and Islam in Malay History and Culture by Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas.
He also visited PBAKL booths.
Themed “Buku: Membaca, Memimpin”, the 42nd edition of PBAKL, which began May 23 and ended today, drew 1.8 million visitors.
— Bernama
