From Gallery Of MADANI Leaders' Book Choices To Children's Festival, PBAKL 2026 To Showcase Various Innovations

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026 (PBAKL 2026), which begins tomorrow, comes with various innovations and new attractions, including a Special Gallery of MADANI Leaders' Book Choices and a Children's Literature Festival, in an effort to invigorate the reading culture among society.

Upholding the theme "Malaysia Reads: Celebrating Books," this edition reflects the organisers' commitment to empowering the reading culture and making books a medium for shaping a knowledgeable society.

According to the organisers of PBAKL 2026, the Special Gallery of MADANI Leaders' Book Choices is a special space showcasing selected books that serve as references, inspiration, and favorites for the country's top selected figures.

"Among the figures contributing to this gallery are the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers 1 and 2, the Menteri Besar of Pahang, the Menteri Besar of Selangor, the Minister of Higher Education and his deputy, the Minister of Education and her deputy, the Minister of Religious Affairs, and the Minister of National Unity.

"This gallery not only provides visitors with an opportunity to understand the thoughts of national leaders through the reading materials that shape their core values, but each copy is also displayed alongside a summary, context, and shared reflections from those figures," said PBAKL 2026 Organising Committee Advisor Mohd Khair Ngadiron.

Located at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), PBAKL, which will run until June 7, features over 1,000 booths for the public to visit from 10 am to 10 pm.

In addition to nation-state building, PBAKL 2026 is also aggressively driving the book economy through the organization of the ASIAN Rights Fair (ARF) from May 29 to 31. This involves the participation of 24 countries, including China, the United Kingdom, Turkiye, and India, which is hoped to create a major impact on copyright trading and expand the reach of Malaysian works into the global market.

Meanwhile, PBAKL 2026 is continuing the VIP Buyers Programme initiative managed by Perbadanan Kota Buku (PKB) to facilitate schools in purchasing reading materials digitally through the Kota Buku Digital platform.

"This initiative aims to expand access to quality reading materials in a more transparent, systematic, and high-impact manner," according to PBAKL.

For the higher education segment, the Malaysian Scholarly Publishing Council (MAPIM) is also organising the Largest Malaysian Academic Book Gathering, with the participation of 24 university publishers offering more than 5,000 scholarly titles across various disciplines.

The organisers have also not sidelined the next generation, providing a Children's Literature Festival platform to foster an interest in reading through various art activities, coloring contests, drawing classes, and costume performances.

The development of young talent continues to be empowered through the MIFLA (Malaysia Innovative Futuristic Library Academia) Junior programme, which gathers school librarians from across the country, as well as the School Resource Centre TV (TVPSS) programme, which trains school students in broadcasting, journalism, and communication skills.

To ensure this book fair can be celebrated by all Malaysians, including those outside the Klang Valley, the organizers are continuing the 6th Edition of the Hybrid PBAKL online. This involves more than 60 publishers offering exclusive digital deals through Kota Buku Digital.

Through this edition, PBAKL aims to cultivate a deeper reading culture while providing a platform for intellectual discussions, book industry development, and international collaboration.

"PBAKL 2026 is not just a book exhibition event, but it is also a major platform for the dissemination of knowledge, creativity, and innovation in the book world, as well as a benchmark in the Southeast Asian book industry," according to PBAKL.

-- BERNAMA