The Renowned Selangor International Book Fair Is Back Again: A Literary Feast for UM Students!

By Afrina Raihanah Binti Raimi Azli – 02 Dec 2023 

(From left to right) Selangor Chief Minister, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, Selangor’s Ruler, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah ibni Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah and Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) Director, Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad in the inauguration ceremony of Selangor International Book Fair 2023. Photo by BERNAMAPIX.

SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, officially commemorates the return of the ten-day event, Selangor International Book Fair 2023 at the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) Convention Centre on the 1st  of December. 

Also gracing the event was the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, accompanied by the Selangor Chief Minister, Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, and the Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) Director, Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad. 

Later on, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah presented eight appreciation plaques to the Selangor International Fellowship Programme representatives involving Australia, Turkiye, Philippines, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, South Korea, Nepal, and Malaysia. Following that, His Highness also handed over prizes to two recipients of the Yusof Gajah Illustration Award: Nur Fatiha Alina Helmy for the (13 – 17 years old) category and Lim Lay Koon in the under 18 category before visiting the convention’s booths. 

Dato’ Seri Amirudin in his speech said that this year’s Selangor International Book Fair has grown to 354 stalls for 255 exhibitors. These exhibitors include publishers, authors, and illustrators from Malaysia along with other participating nations like China, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

“This is because we see the event as a tourism platform that may enhance our nation’s tourism industry, especially in Selangor”, he continued. He further said that SIBF is not merely used as a platform to sell books, but rather a crucial and critical space where contributions and the sharing of ideas can take place whilst establishing a conducive environment for SMEs to display their merchants other than books to increase Malaysia’s economy. 

His Royal Highness Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, graciously visited the exhibition booths during the inauguration ceremony of the SIBF 2023 at the MBSA Convention Center, on December 1, 2023. Photo by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI.

Literature Haven of University Malaya’s Students

When it comes to book fairs, reduced and low-cost books and comics were the main focus of its visitors, particularly financially strained university students, who view this as a golden chance to acquire academic books and enriching novels for study and leisure.

Beyond discounted books, visitors can anticipate with diverse spectrum of creative arts and events that push the boundaries of what constitutes a book fair. Another perk of the book fair is the exclusive experience of interacting with booksellers and authors directly to inculcate the reading culture.

“Personally, I think book fairs like this are a goldmine for university students. I mean, just look at the lineup of workshops, seminars, and talks — motivational and inspirational, right? From what I can see, literary and media students from Universiti Malaya can use this opportunity to interview publishers and authors to gain professional insights into the inner workings of these industries.”, said Syafiq Aizat, the author of the popular sci-fi trilogy; Ajaib. 

The author of infamous sci-fi trilogies – Ajaib, Mr Syafiq Aizat during the Fixi Book Signing Event in SIBF 2023. 

Syafiq further said that university students should take the opportunity to engage with informational events like SIBF in the future and to savour their time when reading a book because that’s when you grasp its true essence. 

An undergraduate student from Universiti Malaya said, “I do wish someday, Universiti Malaya would take the initiative to collaborate with any book fair to hold our very own on the campus so that we can save money on transportation and academic books”.

The SIBF spans 10 days, commencing on December 1st until December 10th, operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.