KUCHING: The National Reading Decade (DMK) Sarawak 2025 celebration, jointly organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, is another significant step in cultivating a culture of reading among Malaysians.
The event featured a series of activities, including the Resensi Buku Sasterawan Sarawak programme and Juh Membaca 10 Minit held at the Gallery, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak on Wednesday (Oct 8).
Other activities such as the Perpustakaan Ceria competition and Kuiz Bijak Bahasa on Sarawak FM were conducted in collaboration with the State Education Department, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Kuching North City Council (DBKU), and the Sarawak Broadcasting Department.
“The collaboration between Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, and other key agencies plays a vital role in fostering unity and knowledge-building among the people of Sarawak,”said Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Chief Executive Officer Japri Bujang Masli.
“These initiatives are instrumental in strengthening the reading culture across all races and age groups, contributing to national development,” he said.
He also commended the Karnival Baca Perdana and Pesta Buku Sarawak 2025 organised by the National Library of Malaysia and Pustaka Negeri Sarawak from Sept 27 to Oct 5 at The Hills, here, describing such programmes as catalysts that ignite collective enthusiasm for reading among all levels of society.
Japri emphasised that reading opens doors to new worlds and perspectives, in line with the Ministry of Education’s efforts to nurture a MADANI society knowledgeable, united, and grounded in high moral values through the National Reading Decade initiative.
“The goal is to make Malaysia a nation of readers by 2030, aligning with the National Unity Policy 2021–2030.
He acknowledged the challenges of promoting reading habits among children amid the growing influence of digital media but stressed that “every page we read opens a new window of thought we read, we know.”
Japri urged parents, teachers, and library institutions to work hand in hand in enhancing and diversifying reading initiatives from the grassroots level.
He said that the DMK programme, led by the Ministry of Education, serves as a national effort to strengthen reading culture and create a globally knowledgeable society under the slogan #MalaysiaMembaca.
