MALAYSIAN AS A READING SOCIETY

by Nawwar Nabilah Mohd Idrus (A 122905)

If I have to compare the awareness of Malaysians towards the importance of reading now and then, the current situation is better than the previous one. In average, an individual read two books per year. Still, Malaysians cannot be proud of this number. We still have citizens who not able to read and write. Let us compare to another Asian country, Japan for instance, the rate of people who cannot read in the country is 0%! Something must be done to change Malaysian into a reading society.
For working people, a library at the office does make sense because they always complained that they do not have time to spend for reading. By providing a library, the staff can sit and read during their free time especially lunch time. To raise the interest in reading, each worker has to give comment on books he or she has read on the blog. The access to internet should not be a problem since every company has provided the facility such as wireless connection. Once they had post comment on the blog, the company will save the records that the particular worker had post it. What the employers can do is give “reading allowance” to them based on how much books they have read.
As for the children, it is easier to cultivate or to raise the interest in reading since they are easily being influenced. We can use a mascot as an ambassador for reading campaign in order to attract children to read. The mascot can attract children’s attention to buy or borrow books because the children will fid it more fun to read while being entertained by the mascot. The mascot will also help to give out free books sponsored by school to the school children. As they grow up, they will make reading as a habit.
By these ways, I hope Malaysians can cooperate and help to cultivate the interest in reading in each individual. The identity of a country is reflected by its citizen. The reading society will make individuals are updated and informative. Malaysians may help the country by contributing ideas and energy towards Malaysia as a civilised country corresponding of the development of our country.

Thank you.