By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, Dec 2 — The Selangor International Book Festival (SIBF) 2023 is not merely a book-selling platform but also a space to share ideas, said Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.
The international event, now in its second year, gathers various works and resources of ideas, making it one of the best book fairs in Southeast Asia.
"From my experience visiting book festivals in various regions like Jakarta, I am confident that SIBF has become Southeast Asia's best book collection and idea-sharing programme.
"This festival provides 354 booths for 255 exhibitors, including publishers, writers, and illustrators, not only from Malaysia but also from other countries like Indonesia, China, and Saudi Arabia," he said.
Amirudin was speaking during SIBF 2023's opening ceremony at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Convention Centre yesterday.
The festival was officiated by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, with Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin in attendance.
Amirudin said SIBF is not just a book exhibition but also creates a conducive space for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to market their products.
"Moreover, this book festival also serves as a tourism platform capable of boosting the tourism industry, especially for Selangor," he said.
The Menteri Besar also thanked His Royal Highness for recently contributing over 2,600 books to the Raja Tun Uda Library, enriching the state's reading culture.
"The Sultan of Selangor graciously contributed over 2,600 books to the Raja Tun Uda Library to enlighten the people and to encourage the reading of works owned and authored by His Royal Highness," he said.
SIBF was first organised last year as a continuation of the Selangor Book Festival, which was first held in 2006.
Organised by the Selangor Public Library Corporation, various exciting activities, including lucky draws, book sales, and attractive discounts, await visitors.
Taking place at Kompleks PKNS from its inception, the fair was later moved to the MBSA Convention Centre, and has recorded nearly five million visitors to date.
