24/04/2025

THURSDAY | APR 24, 2025

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COMMENT by Dr Zuraini Md Ali and Datin Dr Nor Hayati Hussain

Rekindling the power of the printed word I N an age where attention spans flicker and digital screens dominate, there remains a quiet, enduring magic in the printed word – the crisp turn of a page, the whisper of paper and the rich scent of ink.

Better driving starts with patience, courtesy OUR roads can become dangerous when drivers ignore basic courtesy and safety. During the recent Raya LETTERS letters@thesundaily.com

someone more rights than others. Whether you drive a compact car or a high-end model, traffic laws apply equally to everyone. Yet, we still see drivers who behave as if they are above the rules – refusing to give way, misusing the emergency lane or cutting into traffic without signalling. These actions do not reflect style or status – they reflect selfishness and a lack of road courtesy. We also cannot ignore the dangerous habit of using mobile phones while driving. During traffic jams, many people reach for their phones to check messages or scroll through social media. But just a few seconds of distraction can cause an accident. If it is truly urgent, pull over at a rest area. No message is more important than your life or the lives of others. These driving problems are not limited to the festive season – they happen every day on highways and in city traffic. Driving better should be part of our daily routine. Driving is not a competition – it is not about who can gets ahead or who drives a bigger car. It is a shared responsibility that affects everyone on the road. A little patience, proper signalling and basic courtesy can go a long way in creating a safer journey for all. Let us make good driving habits the norm, not the exception. Whether it is a festive season or an ordinary day, let us show kindness, stay alert and drive safely. Not just for ourselves but for everyone around us.

holidays, many Malaysians spent long hours on the highways to balik kampung . While traffic jams are expected during peak periods, what made the journey even more frustrating were the recurring bad driving habits that seem to resurface year after year. One of the most common problems is lane hogging. The right lane is meant for overtaking yet many drivers use it as their personal cruising lane. This not only blocks faster vehicles but also causes congestion and often leads to risky overtaking on the left. It only takes one inconsiderate driver to disrupt the flow for everyone else. Some lane hoggers may think they are doing nothing wrong because they are driving at the speed limit. However, road safety is not just about speed – it is also about awareness, common sense and respect for other users. If a vehicle approaches from behind, it does not necessarily mean the driver is being rude or aggressive – sometimes, they just want to pass. Giving way is the courteous and safe thing to do. A simple flash of headlights is often misunderstood. While many see it as rude or offensive, it is usually just a signal – a polite way of saying, “Please let me through”. Taking it personally or reacting with ego only creates unnecessary tension. Giving way costs nothing but only shows maturity, confidence and respect for others on the road. Another issue we see too often is the belief that driving a luxury or expensive car gives

On World Book Day, observed annually on April 23, Malaysians are reminded that books are not merely objects; they are companions, teachers and doorways into different times, cultures and dimensions. This global celebration invites us to pause, unplug and return to the joy of reading – a joy especially crucial for the younger generation growing up in the era of touchscreens and TikToks. Reading builds more than vocabulary; it nurtures empathy, imagination and independent thought. Whether it is a graphic novel, a science book or a retelling of local folklore, each page turned adds a brick to the foundation of a curious, well rounded mind. In Malaysia, the importance of reading runs even deeper. The very first word revealed in the Qur’an was “Read”. This divine command – “Read in the name of your Lord who created” ( Surah Al-‘Alaq , 96:1) – reminds us that the pursuit of knowledge is a sacred act, blessed by faith and encouraged by culture. Every time a child picks up a book or a student dives into research, they are continuing a spiritual and intellectual tradition rooted in reverence. And perhaps there is no better place to honour that sacred act than the National Library of Malaysia. Nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the library is not just a building – it is a living narrative, one that intertwines culture, architecture and national identity. Designed by the late Datuk Dr Ikmal Hisham Albakri, the library’s iconic roof mimics the tengkolok , a traditional

The National Library of Malaysia is not just a building – it is a living narrative, one that intertwines culture, architecture and national identity. – PIC BY WIKIMEDIA

buildings could be storytellers. In designing the National Library, he gave Malaysia more than just a place to read – he gave the nation a symbol of curiosity, intellect and continuity. Every visitor, whether a child hearing their first fairy tale or a researcher poring over manuscripts, becomes part of that ongoing story. Let us make World Book Day more than a date on the calendar. Let us turn it into a personal ritual and a national movement. Visit the library. Borrow a book. Share a story. Write your own. Because in the end, every great adventure begins with a reader, and that reader could be you. Dr Zuraini Md Ali is an associate professor at the Building Surveying Department, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya. Datin Dr Nor Hayati Hussain is an assistant professor at the School of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology and an active member of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Malay headgear once worn by warriors and royalty. In this powerful gesture, knowledge is visually tied to leadership and intellect to heritage. Step inside and you will find more than rows of books. You will discover interactive archives, quiet reading zones, storytelling corners and exhibitions that showcase rare Malay manuscripts. It is a place where students can trace their roots and imagine their futures – often in the same visit. World Book Day is celebrated here, not with hushed reverence, but with vibrancy and fun. Each year, the library bursts to life with storytelling sessions by local authors, cosplay contests, creative writing workshops, book themed quizzes and even art projects where children imagine and draw their dream library. Nationwide, schools join the movement with book donation drives, reading challenges and social media campaigns like #MyBookMyWorld, where students share their favourite reads and why they matter. At the heart of it all is the vision of Ikmal, who once believed that

Syed Azman Syed Ismail Postgraduate Student Faculty of Education Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia