Reading Key To National Development, Unity – Saraswathy

KUCHING, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Reading must continue to be nurtured as a culture, especially among the younger generation, to cultivate critical thinking, intellectual resilience and a united, progressive society.

Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy said that books serve as a unifying tool, as reading enables people to understand history, appreciate the aspirations of other communities, and foster respect across races and cultures.

“In a multiracial society like Malaysia, reading plays a vital role in broadening minds and fostering understanding among communities.

“It should be regarded as a basic necessity for national unity and social cohesion that drives the country’s development,” she said at the launch of the Karnival Baca Perdana and Sarawak Book Fair 2025 at The Hills here today.

The programme, running from Sept 27 to Oct 5, is organised by the National Unity Ministry through the National Library of Malaysia in collaboration with the Sarawak State Library to promote reading culture.

Saraswathy stressed that in today’s digital era, where information is abundant, young people who read regularly are better able to assess, filter and understand issues, making them less vulnerable to fake news or rhetoric that could undermine national unity.

She said reading is not merely a personal habit but a national investment in developing quality human capital, in line with the Malaysia MADANI aspiration that places knowledge as the foundation of national progress.

The event, officiated by Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, features book exhibitions and sales, author sessions, intellectual forums, as well as art and craft demonstrations to attract the public from all walks of life.

-- BERNAMA