Anwar: Reading decline threatens democracy and public discourse

New Straits Times

5 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The declining interest in reading poses serious consequences for journalism, education, public knowledge, and democracy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said librarians now carry the vital task of not just preserving knowledge but revitalising libraries as vibrant community centres.
"The challenge is to revive a reading culture that we've lost," he said in his keynote address at the 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (Consal) General Conference and Meeting.
Anwar recalled referencing The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom, a book from the early 1980s which warned of the erosion of culture, tradition, and intellectual curiosity.
"Today, on social media, people read two sentences and draw conclusions. Influencers say a few words and come to a judgment," he said.
He lamented the decline in the culture of creativity and critical thinking—of seeking truth and understanding through a strong intellectual tradition—saying this trend has worsened since the 1980s.
"Librarians, when you give a book, it's not enough just to give a book. You should tell the reader to open page 43 and please read that paragraph and make it so exciting that they'll want to continue to page 44," he said.
Otherwise, he warned, the consequences would be profound: "Look at the rancorous, often hateful debates today—contentious, shallow, driven by populism and ignorance."
He said libraries and librarians now have the heavy responsibility of countering this trend.
Anwar added that while libraries must embrace digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), their core duty remains to spark a love of reading among the young.
"Inculcating reading habits is a collective effort. Without it, there's no space to test ideas, compare experiences, or strengthen understanding to navigate these shifting times," he said.
Without reading, he added, young minds risk becoming "captive"—only able to imagine or admire Western civilisations while remaining unaware of Southeast Asia's rich heritage, such as Angkor Wat and the Melaka Sultanate.
Meanwhile, Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said Malaysia must ensure no one is excluded in building a knowledge-based society.
"In many rural and remote areas across Southeast Asia, access to libraries is still limited. We must prioritise community libraries, mobile services, and digital kiosks to reach the underserved," he said.
He called for libraries to actively promote linguistic inclusion by offering materials in minority languages and supporting efforts to document and preserve indigenous literature and oral traditions.
He also stressed the importance of making libraries fully accessible to persons with disabilities.
"Accessibility must be integral to library design, not an afterthought—physically and digitally," he said, adding that this includes ramps, accessible toilets, and materials in braille, large print, audiobooks, and screen-reader-friendly formats.
"Equally important is ensuring library staff are trained to serve persons with disabilities with dignity, knowledge, and care," he said.