Anwar Launches Telaah Podcast, Celebrates Malay-Islamic Heritage at PBAKL 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, June 1, 2025 – Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the closing ceremony of the 42nd Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL), emphasizing the event’s role as a cornerstone of the nation’s reading culture and a platform uniting writers, thinkers, and knowledge enthusiasts worldwide.

Photo Credit : PMO

In his speech, Anwar urged Malaysians to embed a love for reading in their hearts, stressing that comprehensive knowledge is essential for progress. “No one can leap forward without mastering knowledge, and this can only be achieved through a vibrant and sustained reading culture,” he said.

Recognizing teachers as key drivers of intellectual curiosity, Anwar announced the distribution of book vouchers to all school teachers nationwide this year.

“Teachers are the earliest agents in fostering a love for knowledge in the classroom,” he added.

The ceremony also saw the launch of the Telaah Podcast by the Prime Minister, featuring reviews of four significant works exploring the nation’s journey, Malay-Islamic heritage, and the ideas of prominent figures such as Za’ba, Ungku A. Aziz, Dr. Siddiq Fadzil, and Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas.

Anwar further launched several new book publications and visited exhibitions by the Kota Buku Corporation, the Al-Falah Pavilion, and local publishers including ITBM, DBP, Karangkraf, MAPIM, and the Selangor Pavilion. “These visits demonstrate that our publishing industry remains dynamic, enriched with profound and insightful ideas,” he remarked.

PBAKL 2025 concluded with a strong commitment to nurturing a culture of knowledge and reading among Malaysians.