The Emergence Of The Malaysian Book Industry Steer

It was on the 1st of March, 2009, I was searching for the answer. A solution. A total solution. Thus I share with you now and here, my journey into a discovery as I begin to uncover some pertinent points while accumulating experiences, and perhaps how to recover the boom as this industry should be. However, I am still open to information you prefer to share on the same industry in your country.

First, I begin to see, to hear, and to read complaints from various discussions on the Malaysian Book Industry.

These include four major points of observation:

01. Imbalance Displays

Malaysia imports books from the world resources of suppliers, to flood our Libraries and book stores. Some estimates a figure of a wholloping 90 per cent of the total displays.

02. Book Readers

There has been a concern for the growing number of illiteracy. Yet, a major concern should be the shrinking number of those who can but do not read.

03. Book Authors

There are authors within the industry. However, the number is small. Even from this smallness, most authors concentrate on writing books that sells. Particularly textbooks, and the popular fictions.

04. Book Traders

It has been noted that the publishing sector and the printing sector, as well as the book art and craft segment are slow, and dying.

My views:

01. Local Book Production

Of course it is easier and more lucrative to import books especially by those who are in this field of business. Yet, there is a need for locals to thrive too. Books we can be proud of to call our own.

I sense, there is a lack of a political leadership will, and thus there is no total planning that is systematic, integrated, effective, and a long term commitment, so much so, Malaysia shall not be too dependent on imported books. A 50 per cent figure of local production can be nice for an initial target.

02. Reading Culture

Of course there are numbers of, and levels of campaigns to increase book readership. Millions of Malaysian Ringgit have been spend on these. Yet the outcome has not been parallel nor equivalent to the efforts and expenditures.

I sense, there must be a reverse in our approach to book reading. Enforcing the inculcation of book readership must undergo a wholesome paradigm shift to the initiative by Malaysians to become book lovers and the sacred responsibility to acquire information from books.

03. Exceptional Book Authors

Of course, if there is no right amount of money gained so there shall be no one apt number of authors writing real, purposeful, and meaningful books. Particularly books moving toward the formation of a civilization arising from a highly cultured society of intellectuals.

I sense, while money in the form of a royalty is nice having, after books sold, yet there must be a bigger number of exceptional book authors to share information with other Malaysians. Especially on nation building.

04. Publishing And Printing

Of course, when there are small number of readers, and worsened by the small number of authors, what can anyone expect from the publishing and printing sectors. Apart from those not really making a living yet prefers not their business to die earlier and soon.

I sense, there is a need for those involved in the publishing and printing sectors, to be more participative in making the book industry in Malaysia booms.

So what is the solution to all these?

Yes, the emergence of a steer of the Malaysian book industry.

The God willing, more soon on this point...