KUCHING: The culture of reading must continue to be strengthened to foster a knowledgeable, critical-thinking and competitive society, particularly as digital technology has made reading materials more accessible.
Daro assemblyman and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Board of Governors member Dr Safiee Ahmad said efforts to cultivate reading habits should be carried out continuously and should not be limited to printed materials.
He said technological advancements had enabled reading materials to be accessed through various smart devices, providing wider opportunities for people to make reading a lifelong habit.
“The reading culture promoted through the National Reading Decade aims to develop a MADANI society that is knowledgeable, united and possesses strong values.
“The various programmes organised by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak in conjunction with World Literacy Day serve as catalysts for strengthening literacy in the digital era.”
He said this at the Sarawak-level National Reading Decade 2026 and World Literacy Day 2026 celebration at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Gallery here on Thursday (Sept 10).
Safiee said the reading agenda should also be viewed as part of efforts to develop a society that was not only physically progressive but also strong in intellectual capacity and thinking.
He said reading was an important foundation in building a knowledge-based civilization, as every material read could open new perspectives and enrich a person’s knowledge.
Meanwhile, Safiee said parents, teachers, DBP, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak and library institutions must work together to diversify approaches to encourage reading, particularly among children and the younger generation.
He said early childhood literacy programmes held in conjunction with the celebration should be continued and expanded, as exposure to reading-related activities from a young age could help develop lasting reading habits.
