By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Sept 5 — Almost 2,000 people have visited the Petaling Jaya Book Expo (PJBX) at the Dewan Sivik MBPJ from September 3 until yesterday.
Petaling Jaya Community Library’s senior assistant director Zainal Abidin Rahim said the number of visitors was very encouraging after the book expo was stopped for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The first day saw more than 1,000 visitors, while the next day around 800 people attended. The reception was quite encouraging because the exhibition space provided this time is bigger than before.
“Our target is for 5,000 people to visit this expo until it closes on September 11 as it is not a mega book expo,” he said when contacted.
He said the expo that is organised by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) offers various types of reading materials from more than 60 exhibitors.
“So far novels are among the best sellers, as well as comics, academic books and religious books,” he said.
The expo, which is also jointly organised with the Malaysian Book Publishers Association (MABOPA) is held for nine days from 9am to 6pm.
In addition to sales of books, the expo will also hold examinations seminars, colouring and storytelling contests, book discussions and book review sessions.
On January 31, 2019, Petaling Jaya was named among the 10 cities in the world that received the Learning City Award 2019.
This award was given by Unesco in recognition of the various achievements and initiatives undertaken by MBPJ, especially in the field of education.
