KUALA LUMPUR: Parents are urged to inculcate the habit of reading among their children – especially as the capital city prepares to take the mantle of World Book Capital 2020.
It is hoped that the international celebration of reading under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) will further boost KL-ites’ love of the written word, especially in book form.
“While we have e-books, they are nothing compared to the feeling of holding a book and completing reading it,” said Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament Fahmi Fadzil.
He called on everyone to make an effort to read at least one book a month.
“The material doesn’t have to be something serious – even comics will do,” Fahmi said in his speech at the Back-to-School programme, organised by Pertubuhan Anak Kerinchi, at Taman Bukit Angkasa here, today.
He also invited players in the publishing industry to take advantage of KL’s World Book Capital 2020 status to highlight the joys of reading and the wide array of material available.
“Book authors and publications can take this opportunity to promote their titles throughout the (year-long) campaign,” Fahmi added.
As World Book Capital, Kuala Lumpur will stage a range of events and initiatives to promote books and reading throughout 2020, starting with the World Book and Copyright Day on April 23.
On a separate matter, Fahmi appealed to parents to monitor their children’s activities, especially during school holidays.
“I’m especially concerned with the basikal lajak trend among the youth.
“Here, in Lembah Pantai, some children can be seen riding bicycles on the NPE (New Pantai Expressway), which could pose a danger to their safety,” he said.
Fahmi added that parents, and the community at large, should spend time with children and conduct meaningful activities which would enhance their lives and keep them out of harm’s way.