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KUALA LUMPUR: The National Library is looking into the possibility of special book carnivals nationwide twice a year to encourage Malaysians to read.

Unity, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said the director-general had been asked to identify suitable times for the event.

"Maybe, we can identify a particular month for the event," he said after the launching of the National Reading Club and Reading Festival 2008 by the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Nazirah.

It is estimated that about 4,290 reading clubs called Sinar Pintar reading clubs will be set up across the nation with a membership of 34,320 as part of the government's initiative to create a knowledge community.

On the possibility of a book allowance for the 11 million workers in public and private sectors, Shafie said: "It is not impossible to do it." Interested by the idea, he plans to bring it up in cabinet.

"Of course, we (the government) do not want to intervene too much in the affairs of the private sector. Still, if it is in line with the companies' objectives to have a better qualified workforce, a little portion of companies' profits can be considered for book purchases," he said.

He felt that the annual RM1 billion spent on book purchases by Malaysians was still small compared to the population of 26 million. It meant that every family spent about RM50 a year on all kinds of books including those used in school -- By Azura Abas.

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