Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to read more, lamenting the nation’s poor reading culture which he said remains far from ideal despite ongoing efforts. He said this reality is at odds with the aspirations of the MADANI government, which is anchored on the values of conviction and a deep appreciation for knowledge.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized that reading has not become a cultural norm in the country, a fact he finds disheartening. The prime minister highlighted the importance of a MADANI nation being rooted in a love for knowledge. He questioned the authenticity of claiming to love knowledge when opinions are often formed based on superficial information like short speeches or social media rants.

Anwar expressed these concerns during his speech at the closing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2025. The event was attended by key figures including Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. Despite the current challenges, the prime minister remains optimistic about cultivating a reading culture, as evidenced by the 1.8 million visitors to PBAKL 2025.

He pointed out that developed nations progress because their citizens possess deep knowledge, and he stressed that Malaysia must follow suit to elevate itself as a great nation. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, emphasized the need for a knowledgeable society to achieve regional prominence.

Highlighting the importance of culture in national development, Anwar criticized the current state of political and economic discourse in Malaysia, which he believes is often driven by sentiment rather than informed knowledge. He challenged students, influencers, and parents to promote intellectual growth as a means to uplift the nation’s stature.

The PBAKL, themed ‘Buku: Membaca, Memimpin’ (Books: Read, Lead), concluded with a variety of events, maintaining its status as one of the largest book fairs in Southeast Asia.