Malaysian Government Prepared To Give Allocation To Boost Book Industry

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) - The Malaysian government is prepared to provide allocation so that writers will be more active in producing books to help Malaysia achieve developed nation status by 2020. Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah said Malay literature works could illuminate the literary world and mould the people's thinking. "In an effort to improve the country's status as a high income economy, the government is prepared to help Malay literature writers," he said at the prize giving ceremony and launch of 'Buku Hadiah Sako 3' (Sako 3 Gift Book) at National Library here Tuesday. The novel "Penyeberang Sempadan" by national laureate Dr Anwar Ridhwan won 'Buku Hadiah Sako 3' award which carries cash prize of RM30,000, collection of Sako 3 books and certificate. Utusan Publications and Distributors Sdn Bhd executive director Dr Ahmad Hairi Abu Bakar said he was prepared to make a proposal on the needs of the book industry. "To achieve developed nation status by 2020, the nation needs to publish 27,000 titles annually compared to 18,000-20,000 titles presently. "Actually, compared with other components of the creative industry, the book industry is more everlasting," he said when met after the ceremony. Anwar said that a special allocation for the book industry could help increase literary works to make the community competitive. "To become developed nation by 2020, we must become a learning society. In developed countries, the publication of books is over 0.1 percent of the population." On his win, Anwar said that the decision by the panel of judges proved that it was a good literary work. "This is my fifth novel in 40 years of writing. New writers must have self belief, choose unique themes and command knowledge that can help create a learning society by 2020," he said. Sako 3 Award (National Novel) by Utusan Group and National Institute of Translation Malaysia in cooperation with National Library is in honour of Malay literary figure the late Ishak Muhammad, better known as Pak Sako. - BERNAMA Malaysia