PUTRAJAYA, 19 May 2009: The Book City, which the government plans to set up by end of this year, will provide an avenue for publishers and writers to expand the scope and quality of their work, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
He said that the project, coordinated by the Education Ministry, would also be an avenue for the country’s literary fans to enjoy quality books and spur the country’s book industry to greater heights.
“We already have a building in Kuala Lumpur which will be turned into a Teachers’ Museum and Book City. We will start the project by end of this year at the cost of RM20 million,” he told reporters after launching the Malaysian literature translation series, here today.
The series is part of a project carried out by the Malaysian National Institute of Translation to translate 100 titles into major languages including English, Spanish and French.
The series launched today involves 28 titles.
He said interested parties could rent a space to display their publications at the Book City.
Muhyiddin who is Education Minister, also said that the ministry was carrying out studies to improve literature curriculum in school.
“We are looking into the types of books to be used and for which level. Literature is taught in secondary school and at university level, so we want to coordinate the curriculum so that there will be continuity,” he said.
To a question, Muhyiddin said the government normally would not block the entry of literary works from abroad so long as they did not create problems for the readers. — Bernama
