By Norrasyidah Arshad
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — The Selangor International Book Fair (SIBF) 2023 will be held from December 1 to 10, involving the participation of foreign publishers and writers.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the event provides an opportunity for Selangor to explore this industry further and encourages the culture of reading among the people.
“Last year, we had guests from other countries, neighbouring writers, and it provided great networking opportunities.
“Therefore, the upcoming SIBF provides an opportunity for Selangor to further explore this industry at a higher level,” he said during the Borak Santai programme at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (KLIBF) 2023 held at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), here yesterday.
The inaugural SIBF last year was a continuation of the Selangor Book Fair, which had been held for 16 years.
Taking place at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Convention Center on December 1, 2022, the book fair involved 225 local and international exhibitors, including those from the United Kingdom, Turkey, North Macedonia, South Korea, and Egypt.
The 11-day event recorded over 200,000 visitors with total sales exceeding RM5 million.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said that an inaugural Children’s Book Fair in the state will be held for four days starting on July 27 at the PKNS Shah Alam Complex, Shah Alam.
He said that the book fair, which will run until July 30, will involve the participation of local authors, publishers and book vendors.
“We are working on focusing on this industry, not only involving scientific, physical, and religious book fairs but also for children,” he said.
Yesterday evening, Amirudin spent about 30 minutes visiting several book stalls from various publishers at the KLIBF 2023.
The Menteri Besar visited The Patriots, Biblio Press, Pavilion Nusantara, and Cereka’s book sales while meeting and greeting other visitors and taking pictures together at the book fair.
Amirudin also visited the Darul Ehsan Book Initiative (IBDE) booth, which sells various interesting translated works under the Selangor Enlightenment Series (Siri Pencerahan Selangor).
He then brought home with him five books, including Imam al Ghazali: Hayat, Jasa Ilmuwan Ulung by renowned professor W. Montgomery Watt, and Muslihat Mahathir: Mengharung Zaman Gelora by former editor Barry Wain.
The other three books are Risalah Tentang Kelazatan Yang Tercela, Melakar Riwayat Baru Hubungan Islam & Barat, and the story of the war during the Japanese era, Tanpa Ampun.
The 40th edition of PBAKL 2023 started last Friday and will run until June 4, open from 10am to 10pm.
