29/05/2026

FRIDAY | MAY 29, 2026

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PM: Reading helps shape more mature, thoughtful society KUALA LUMPUR: The practice of reading can help shape a more mature and broad-minded society in facing an increasingly complex world, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. In a post on his Facebook page, he said books not only provide knowledge but also educate society to be more patient in thinking and wiser in making judgements. “Books teach us to be more patient in thought, more mature in judgement and not easily swept away by a culture of condemnation or short-lived sensationalism. “ Insya-Allah , I will launch the 2026 Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair as a sign of continued support for the culture of knowledge and reading among the people, particularly the young generation.” Anwar said he read several of his favourite books during the Aidiladha holiday. In a video shared in the post, Anwar also recited poetry from Dari Derita Bangsa , related to his struggle and imprisonment in 1999, which also mentioned the resilience of his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in facing challenges during the Reformasi era. – Bernama

PM gifts sacrificial cows to media for Aidiladha

delivering information and serving as a bridge between the government and the people,” said Pahang Press chairman Fazli Ahmad. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok hosted an Aidiladha celebration on Thursday, coinciding with Thailand’s observance of the festive day. The gathering, which brought together embassy staff and guests, was held in conjunction with the visit of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Deputy Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin, who was in Bangkok on a five-day trade mission. Malaysia’s Ambassador to Thailand Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah used the occasion to remind staff that serving abroad is itself a form of sacrifice. “Never let this sacrifice go to waste. Continue to work with full dedication and excellence,” he said, urging the embassy to function as one unified family in fulfilling the nation’s responsibilities.

o Gesture reflects appreciation of media workers and recognition of role in serving as bridge between govt, public

More employers recognising work ethics of persons with disabilities PUTRAJAYA: The work ethics of persons with disabilities (PwD) continue to gain recognition, with nearly 81% of employers rating their performance on par with other workers, according to the Statistics Department’s 2025 Employment Survey of Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia. Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the survey, involving 1,830 employers, also found that 71.9% recognised the role of PwD in driving productivity and innovation in the workplace, with nearly 22% of employers currently hiring PwD. He said the effort reflects growing employer awareness on workforce diversity. He added that nearly 91% of employers who had previously hired PwD provided employment opportunities for between one and five workers, while 47.5% expressed their intention to continue hiring PwD. Mohd Uzir said the survey also found that 86.5% of employed PwD workers possessed the PwD card as official verification of their disability. He said the majority of employers showed support towards efforts to strengthen the inclusive employment ecosystem. He added that 90.6% support the establishment of specific guidelines related to PwD employment while 77.3% agree that job training should be tailored according to the type of disability. Mohd Uzir said the survey also identified several challenges, with 63.3% of employers citing high cost of modifying workplaces to be PwD-friendly, 78.6% reporting difficulties in finding suitable candidates and the need to further improve awareness on the benefits and incentives of hiring PwD. “Holistic cooperation among the government, employers, PwD organisations and all stakeholders is important to strengthen the inclusive participation of the group in the labour market and support the country’s socio economic development.” – Bernama Five animals were sacrificed at the event, with the remaining 20 set to be slaughtered in Kuala Kedah the following day. Club committee member Wan Nabil KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim marked Aidiladha by donating sacrificial cows to media practitioners in two states yesterday, in a gesture described as recognition of their role in serving as a bridge between the government and the public. In Kedah, a cow was presented to Kelab Media Elit Kedah as part of a larger contribution of 25 cattle for the Madani Sacrificial Ritual programme in Jerlun, said Anwar’s senior political secretary Romli Ishak.

Nasir said the gesture reflects the prime minister’s concern for the welfare of media workers in the state, with the meat distributed to those in need. In Pahang, Anwar donated a sacrificial cow to Pahang Press in what the organisation described as a first-time contribution, Bernama reported. The korban programme was held at Kampung Anak Air in Kuantan with the assistance of about 40 members of the Tok Peramu Qurban Squad. The sacrificial meat was distributed to journalists, photographers and local residents. “This gesture carries special meaning as it reflects recognition of our role in

Book choices of Madani leaders showcased at fair KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026, which begins today, comes with various innovations and new attractions. said organising committee adviser Mohd Khair Ngadiron. Located at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, the fair will run until June 7 and features over 1,000 booths for the public to visit from 10am to 10pm. 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 Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2026 reflects the organisers’ commitment to empowering the reading culture and making books a medium for shaping a knowledgeable society. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

The organisers have also provided a Children’s Literature Festival platform to foster interest in reading through several art activities, coloring contests, drawing classes and costume shows. The development of young talent continues to be empowered through the Malaysia Innovative Futuristic Library Academia Junior programme, which facilitates school librarians, and the School Resource Centre TV programme, which trains school students in broadcasting, journalism and communication skills. The fair aims to cultivate a deeper reading culture while providing a platform for intellectual discussions, book industry development and international collaboration. “The book fair is not just an exhibition event but also a major platform for the dissemination of knowledge, creativity and innovation in the book world.” – Bernama

In an effort to invigorate the reading culture in society, the fair sees the inclusion of a special gallery of “Madani Leaders’ Book Choices” and a “Children’s Literature Festival”. Upholding the theme “Malaysia Reads: Celebrating Books”, this edition of the fair reflects the organisers’ commitment to empowering the reading culture and making books a medium for shaping a knowledgeable society. According to its organisers, the Madani Leaders’ Book Choices is a gallery showcasing books that are the favorites of the country’s top figures. “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 also displays each copy alongside a summary, context and shared reflections from those figures,”

The book fair is also aggressively driving the book economy through the organisation of the Asian Rights Fair from today until Sunday, which is hoped to create a major impact on copyright trading and expand the reach of Malaysian works into the global market. It sees the participation of 24 countries, including China, the United Kingdom, Turkiye and India. The fair is continuing the VIP Buyers Programme managed by Perbadanan Kota Buku to facilitate schools to buy 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.” For the higher education segment, the Malaysian Scholarly Publishing Council is also