By Zareef Muzammil
SHAH ALAM, Dec 7 — The state’s efforts in organising the 2022 Selangor International Book Fair (SIBF), which began on December 1, is in line with its desire to revive the local book industry.
The Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) director Datin Seri Paduka Mastura Muhammad said the number of visitors is not a measure, instead, she wants to ensure that published materials are marketed and sell well.
“So far, more than 100,000 visitors have attended SIBF but the number is not a measure. We are happy when exhibitors report that their sales are good.
“It touches my heart because the purchasing power is high, which is in line with our aim to raise the book industry,” she said when met at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Convention Centre, here.
Mastura added that novels, children’s and management books were the most popular among buyers.
“In terms of fiction and non-fiction books, it is balanced. InsyaAllah (God willing), we pray for all exhibitors to return with empty boxes (be sold out),” she said.
Meanwhile, Mastura invited the members of the public to take advantage of the book fair which will end on December 11, to obtain various reading materials in addition to participating in a variety of interesting activities.
“There are nine lucky draw sessions every day for visitors who have bought books and they stand a chance to win RM500 in cash,” she said.
SIBF, which is the continuation of the Selangor Book Fair organised since 2006, includes foreign exhibitors from China, Singapore (bringing books from the United Kingdom and the United States) and Indonesia.
The Selangor International Children’s Content (SICC) programme features seven fellows specially brought from the United Kingdom, Macedonia, South Korea, Egypt and Indonesia.
