“I am simply a ‘book drunkard’. Books have the same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them.”
– LM Montgomery, Canadian author
I WAS barely six years old when I first discovered the quiet magic of reading. That discovery did not come from a classroom or a syllabus, but from my father. He was a passionate reader, and without realising it, he planted in me a habit that would shape my thinking, my career and my life.
Watching him read daily, instinctively and with joy, I followed suit. That simple act of imitation became the foundation of a lifelong passion that I have never abandoned.
I began, as many children once did, with comic books. Titles such as Commando, Schoolgirl, Beano and Western favourites like The Lone Ranger and Rawhide Kid filled my early years. From there, I graduated naturally to Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven and Famous Five, Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew series and the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen.
Barbara Cartland’s romantic novels never appealed to me; I avoided them entirely. Instead, my curiosity pulled me towards adventure, mystery and history. As I grew older, I immersed myself in the works of Alexander Dumas, Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Leo Tolstoy. Reading became nourishment for the mind.
That habit never faded. Today, books remain an integral part of my daily life. I read widely and this hobby has helped me stay ahead of my peers, particularly in understanding current affairs and global developments.
In journalism, that breadth of knowledge is not a luxury; it is a necessity. I still spend a sizeable portion of my monthly income on books, magazines and subscriptions to online newspapers. Some months, it can reach RM2,500, much to the amusement, and occasional frustration, of my family, who joke that our home resembles a bookshop or archive.
With close to 4,000 books in my personal library, I am surrounded by ideas, even if I will never match the remarkable 11,000-book collection of my boss, Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir.
I admire widely read individuals because I have seen, first-hand, how reading shapes leadership, clarity of thought and depth of perspective. Our Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar is a voracious reader. So too are Jeniri, and my former boss and classmate, Tan Sri Clement Hii. The Head of State and Jeniri are also accomplished authors.
I have a friend, ex-teacher Yusuf Mustanir, who reads close to 100 books yearly. I don’t know how he manages it!
Reading sharpens the mind, disciplines thinking and nurtures wisdom. Yet, despite these living examples that I have mentioned, we are witnessing an alarming decline in reading interest among Malaysia’s younger generation.
Malaysia prides itself on a high literacy rate, hovering above 94 per cent. But literacy does not automatically translate into a love for reading. A World Bank report published in 2019 revealed that 13 per cent of Malaysian students at the upper primary level were not proficient in reading.
Malaysia’s reading scores in international benchmarks have slipped, signalling deeper problems beneath the surface. Even more troubling is a finding from a Financial Industry Collective Outreach report indicating that about 74 per cent of students do not read as a personal hobby. Reading, for many, begins and ends with school requirements.
This trend should deeply concern us. Reading for pleasure is what sustains lifelong learning. When young people read only because they must, and not because they want to, the habit withers as soon as exams end. Without self-motivated reading, knowledge becomes shallow, language skills stagnate and critical thinking suffers.
The widespread use of digital technology has undeniably altered how young people consume information and entertainment. Smartphones, social media platforms, online games and streaming services compete relentlessly for attention.
The internet offers instant gratification, requiring little effort and even less patience. Compared to this, reading a book can seem slow, demanding and unfashionable. As a result, reading time has declined, replaced by scrolling, swiping and short bursts of content that rarely challenge the mind or imagination.
Let’s not view technology as the villain. Digital tools can enhance access to information and even promote reading through e-books and online platforms. The problem arises when screens displace sustained engagement with text, reflection and deep comprehension. When young people grow accustomed to constant stimulation, they struggle to concentrate on longer works, including books that require patience and thought.
Worse still is the gradual disappearance of bookstores and libraries. In many parts of Malaysia, including my home state Sarawak, especially outside major urban centres, access to books has become increasingly limited.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this decline, forcing many bookshops to close or shift entirely online. Even where libraries exist, collections may be outdated or limited, reducing their appeal to young readers.
Cost is another barrier that cannot be ignored. Books are not cheap, and for families struggling with rising living expenses, buying books is often seen as non-essential. Faced with free or low-cost digital entertainment, young people naturally gravitate towards what is easiest to access.
If we are serious about nurturing a reading society, affordability must be addressed. The MADANI government must look into this! Books should not be treated as luxury items.
The consequences of declining reading habits extend far beyond academic performance. Reading builds vocabulary, strengthens communication skills and enhances empathy. It allows readers to inhabit other lives, cultures and perspectives. In a diverse society like Malaysia, these qualities are essential for social cohesion. A generation that reads less risks becoming less thoughtful, less articulate and less tolerant of differences.
Addressing this decline requires collective effort. Parents and teachers play a decisive role, particularly before adolescence. Children learn by example. When they see adults reading, not just on screens, but books, they internalise reading as a normal and enjoyable activity. Parents must be encouraged and educated on the importance of reading to and with their children, even in an age dominated by digital distractions.
Schools, too, must rethink how reading is approached. Literature should not be reduced to exam preparation alone. Students must be exposed to books that interest them, including works by local authors. Reading should be framed not merely as a skill to be tested, but as a pleasure to be savoured.
Reading can also be promoted as a social activity. Book clubs, reading circles and discussion groups can transform reading from a solitary pursuit into a shared experience. When young people are given spaces to talk about books, exchange ideas and express opinions, reading becomes relevant and engaging.
Government intervention is important. Both the federal and Sarawak governments should seriously consider subsidies and incentives to make books more affordable and accessible. Investments in libraries, mobile book programmes and community reading initiatives are not expenses; they are investments in human capital.
It is never too late to encourage a reading culture, especially when the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs.
A recent report quoted an academic from a local university emphasising that children who are habitual readers develop broader knowledge and stronger language skills without needing external rewards. Literacy is not just about academic success; it supports effective communication and meaningful participation in society, particularly in a digital age where face-to-face interaction is increasingly rare.
Reading and writing are my passions, and I would never trade them for any other hobby. Books have shaped my thinking, sustained my curiosity and enriched my life beyond measure. If my personal journey can inspire even a handful of young Malaysians to pick up a book, then this reflection serves its purpose.
A nation that stops reading risks losing more than a pastime. It risks losing depth, wisdom and the ability to think critically about its future. If we want Malaysia to remain resilient, informed and forward-looking, we must rediscover the joy and value of reading; not as an obligation, but as a way of life.
The choice before us is clear, let’s act now!
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at rajlira@gmail.com
