BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports has called for the development of Brunei’s publishing industry to drive economic growth.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah said developing the publishing industry would require the Language and Literature Bureau and other local publishers to be aware of latest global trends, including the style, format and quality to meet market demand.

Speaking during the launch of the 15th Book Fair at the International Convention Centre yesterday, he said the country’s publishers should produce book genres that can attract readers of all ages.

In addition, authors are recommended to be more creative in their writing skills and explore ways to produce easy-to-read materials to support the creative and publishing industries.

YB Pehin Dato Hj Hazair further said there is a need to serve the new generation with books that contain local values, such as Brunei’s social life through its culture and local biographies as well as encyclopaedia that can attract children to read.

“I noticed that not many have written such books,’’ the minister said.

He went on to say that literary enthusiasts and publishers should realise the need to enhance children’s books by including Brunei’s culture and provide an added value product, such as compact discs and digital reading system.

The minister said editorial quality is the key in the book publication industry.

“The strength and effectiveness of the editorial will make a book interesting and extraordinary as well as make the reading enjoyable,’’ he said.

During the book fair launch, the minister also presented prizes to authors of 2013’s bestseller books and best publishers.

The bestsellers included The Shari’ah Penal Code: An Introduction, “Syair Pertabalan Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin” and “Legenda Jong Batu’’. The State Mufti’s Office, Islamic Da’wah Centre, Language and Literature Bureau and History Centre were named the best publishers in 2013.

Hjh Aminah Hj Momin, director of Language and Literature Bureau, said the presentation of prizes was hoped to increase the number of new authors and improve the growth of the books industry.

It was also aimed at enhancing the quality of writing and publishing, as well as encourage the authors to promote their books, and promote a strong reading culture in the country.

She said there are 100 booths during the book fair, including 49 participants from Brunei, the ASEAN Book Publishers Association,Oman, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria.

More than 3,715 people have visited the book fair since the exhibition opened on Friday, said the director.

The event also saw the launch of 37 new books publishedbythe Language and Literature Bureau and two new books published by Pentagram.

The new books were _Barat-Timur dan Bom Atom by Yang Amat Mulia Pg Setia Negara Pg (Dr) Hj Mohd Yusuf Pg Hj Abdul Rahim; The Golden Warisan Brunei Darussalam Volume II _byHj Mohd Rozan Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos; and Selera Warisan Brunei authored by Norsiah Hj Momin.

Themed “Buku Wahana Ilmu’’ (Book as a Medium of Knowledge), the book fair, which will end on March 10, is held to mark the 30th National Day.

The Brunei Times