KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry is reviewing the National Book Policy (NBP) so that an improved policy could be launched next year.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said a committee has been tasked to review the NBP and they have begun their work to establish a more comprehensive reading culture and boost publishing activities.
She said the current policy has been in place since Nov 27, 1985, and needs to be strengthened according to current and future needs.
"We want all these elements to be examined to ensure their relevance to the current developments, so there is a need for the ministry to review the existing NBP," she said in her opening speech at the National Seminar on Malay Language Book Publishing and launch of Children's and Adolescent Books at Wisma Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) here today.
Also present was DBP director-general Dr Hazami Jahari.
Fadhlina said there was a need to review the existing policy as it was introduced almost 39 years ago.
"We are looking at the needs for this new policy . The relevant committee has been mobilised and we hope to finalise the re-evaluation of the NBP by 2025."
Meanwhile, Fadhlina also announced a RM2 million allocation for 'Penggerak Industri Buku Negara (PIBN)' to encourage the publication of children's books.
"As stated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, he fully supports the agenda to strengthen children's reading materials.
"This is an important incentive for authors and publishers to promote the publication of children's books in our efforts to enhance the reading culture among that group.
"Qualified publishers can apply and submit publication proposals to DBP, and there is a committee who will ensure quality books and writings are selected to make them part of important publications for children's reading," she said.