KUCHING: Sarawak needs to publish at least 2,800 more books annually to match the standards of other developed countries.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Datuk Sebastian Ting said currently, the state has only produced less than 500 books.
“We are far behind the target of 2,800 books. To bridge this gap, we encourage more writers and publishers to produce more books,” Ting said during a press conference at Baitulmakmur Building II yesterday (July 17).
Ting also shared his observations from his recent visit to South Korea, where he admired the culture of children carrying books to read. He noticed a similar trend in European countries, unlike Sarawak, where children tend to use smartphones for games and entertainment.
To address this, Ting urged the community to develop a habit of reading books, emphasising that gaining knowledge is a lifelong learning process.
“Publishing books serves not only commercial purposes but also therapeutic purposes to provide a sense of calm. Additionally, it encourages positive habits among readers,” Ting said.
