Kuala Lumpur:Applications for electronic International Standard Book Numbers (eISBNs) rose by 78.07 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, indicating rapid growth in the digital publishing sector within the country's book industry, as reported by the Ministry of National Unity.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid revealed that 4,544 eISBN applications were recorded up to August 2026. Additionally, the number of publications registered under the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system saw a 16.87 percent increase in 2025 compared with 2024.
There was also a significant 56.76 percent rise in self-published works during 2025. Haslina emphasized that while this development provides writers with more opportunities to publish, it is essential to balance this freedom with quality, professionalism, copyright protection, and effective marketing strategies. She shared these insights at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Citra Penulis Carnival at the National Library of Malaysia.
The event, themed 'Pena Warisan, Inspirasi Perpaduan', was attended by PNM director-general Edy Irwan Zulkafli and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Digital Library senior manager Hasnita Ibrahim. Haslina noted that the book industry plays a vital role in supporting the creative sector, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and aiding the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
She cited data from the 2022/2023 National Book Industry Data study, which showed that publishing activities generated RM18.59 billion in gross output and RM8.77 billion in value added from 2012 to 2021. The industry also created 61,925 jobs and paid RM2.68 billion in salaries and wages during that period.
The book industry's ecosystem includes writers, editors, translators, publishers, printers, distributors, booksellers, and digital platform providers. Haslina highlighted the National Library of Malaysia's role in supporting the country's knowledge ecosystem through its collections, reading initiatives, and digital services, which help preserve history and culture while promoting understanding among Malaysia's diverse communities.
The 2026 Citra Penulis Carnival, which runs from October 8 to 10, aims to bring together writers, readers, publishers, students, and industry players to exchange ideas and strengthen the book industry. It is expected to attract around 4,000 visitors both in person and online.
In a related event, eight-year-old N. Jeetesha Venu won the children's category of the creative unity reading TikTok performance competition. Jeetesha, a Year Two pupil from a Tamil national type school in Perak, prepared for two months for the competition, memorizing the script and producing her entry video after learning about it on TikTok.
Zalila Isa, publishing manager of Media Inspirasi Nusantara (MIN), stated that the carnival focuses on face-to-face interactions between publishers and readers, distinguishing it from conventional commercial book fairs. It also utilizes online platforms like TikTok and Shopee to cater to readers' needs.