By Fitri Hazim Hazam
SHAH ALAM, July 26 — The Selangor government will show children’s books by local authors and publishers at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair next year.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the state has the potential to become a children’s book publication hub, and its participation in the renowned international book fair is set to boost Selangor’s ecosystem for the publication of local works.
“The state government has awarded fellowships to external publishers and writers who bring their works to the Selangor Children’s Book Fair. These fellowships will allow the state to join international book fairs, (and) introducing local products at the Bologna book fair allows authors here to compete on the global stage,” he said after officiating the Selangor Children’s Book Fair 2025 at the Selangor State Development Corporation Complex here yesterday.
[caption id="attachment_409031" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari visits exhibits after officiating the Selangor Children’s Book Fair, held at the Selangor State Development Corporation Complex, Shah Alam, on July 25, 2025. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
Amirudin said the state government, through the Selangor Public Library Corporation, will improve the quality of the book fair with cooperation from international publishers.
“There are five states that will hold book fairs this month … Selangor as the pioneer … and they came to see how we do it. This year, the fair was joined by foreign participants, so thank God, I am really happy with the healthy growth of the book publishing industry in Selangor,” he said.
[caption id="attachment_409030" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari visits exhibits after officiating the Selangor Children’s Book Fair, held at the Selangor State Development Corporation Complex, Shah Alam, on July 25, 2025. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]