Kuala lumpur: The strong presence of young people at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2026 has debunked the perception that Malaysians are reading less, according to PBAKL Organising Chairman Mohd Khair Ngadiron. He said more than 60 per cent of visitors to the book fair were youths aged below 40, with the event attracting an average of about 200,000 visitors daily.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the overwhelming presence of young people at PBAKL 2026 clearly refutes the notion that society is reading less nowadays. Mohd Khair conveyed these insights at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today, emphasizing the significant role young people play as exhibitors, entrepreneurs, and industry players within the book ecosystem.

Mohd Khair attributed the growing participation of youths partly to the influence of social media platforms, influencers, and celebrities who have ventured into writing and publishing. He highlighted that platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Threads have become effective promotional tools in cultivating interest in books and reading-related activities among younger audiences.

He noted that today's young generation is creative and innovative, drawn to books and complementary activities such as merchandise sales, meet-the-author sessions, and interactive programmes. Commenting on reading trends, Mohd Khair said novels remained the most sought-after genre among visitors, followed by motivational, self-development, religious, and healing-themed books.

PBAKL 2026, which is being held at WTCKL, recorded more than 1.7 million visitors as of its seventh day, reflecting an increase compared to the previous edition of the fair.