Floating book fair to make 23-day stop in Labuan next month
THE ship MV Doulos Hope, home of an iconic floating book fair, will dock at Labuan Port from July 7 to 29.
The 23-day stay is part of the vessel's ongoing South-East Asia voyage, following its recent stop in Magong, Taiwan, and ahead of its journey to Puerto Princesa in the Philippines.
MV Doulos Hope, operated by GBA Ships, is widely known for hosting one of the world's largest travelling book fairs at sea.
Onboard, visitors can browse thousands of titles ranging from children's publications to academic works and world literature, all offered at affordable prices, reported Bernama.
The unique attraction aims to promote literacy, education and cross-cultural understanding through its global tour.
Labuan Port operator Megah Port Management Sdn Bhd confirmed the vessel's arrival, with its managing director Datuk Seri Patrick Tiong saying that the extended port call was expected to bring positive economic spillovers to the island.
Due to limited capacity, visitors are encouraged to book online for entry slots, while safety protocols will be enforced to manage crowd flow.
Other than Labuan, MV Doulos Hope will also be docking in Kota Kinabalu from Aug 20 to Sept 10.
These will be the only Malaysian stops for the vessel this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
No change to AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines flights to Ahmedabad as airport opens for operations
KUALA LUMPUR: Flights by airlines from Malaysia to Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, are unaffected and remain on schedule as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad is open for operations after temporary closure following the deadly crash of an Air India flight shortly after takeoff. Currently, AirAsia Malaysia operates five weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Ahmedabad, while Malaysia Airlines has eight direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Ahmedabad every week. In its latest post on X, Ahmedabad Airport said that all flight operations at the airport have resumed. "For the latest flight information, please stay connected with your airline and our official updates,' it said. "AirAsia continues to operate flights from/to Ahmedabad,' the low cost airline told Bernama when queried on its flight schedule to the city in western India. Similarly, Malaysia Airlines flights to the city are also not affected. An Air India flight bound for London and carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, crashed on Thursday shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. The flight AI171 departed at 1.38pm local time. The crashed Boeing 787-8 aircraft had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese citizens on board. Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines extends its deepest condolences to all those affected by the tragic accident involving Air India, it said in its X platform. "Our hearts are with the passengers, crew and their loved ones during this tragic time. We stand with Air India and all who have been impacted by this tragedy,' it said. Batik Air Malaysia also shared its deepest condolences to the people affected by the crash. "Our deepest condolences and hearts go out to everyone affected by the Air India incident. In the skies, we may fly under different names, but in moments like this, we stand together as one aviation family. To the passengers, crew, and loved ones, you are in our thoughts,' it said. - Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
National Journalists' Day 2025 to focus on AI and ethics
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 celebration, to celebrate the contributions of media practitioners to the country, will kick off today at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL). Organised by the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), the fifth edition of Hawana which runs until Sunday is themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics'. The celebration will start with the Hawana 2025 Carnival, which will take place at the Sunway Putra Mall and launched by Communications Ministry's deputy secretary-general (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran. There will be 20 exhibition booths including those by Bernama TV, Bernama Radio, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Astro, Media Prima Bhd, The New Straits Times Press Bhd, Media Selangor Sdn Bhd, TV Al-Hijrah, Vanakkam Malaysia, MYTV, Information Department (JaPen), and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Bernama reported. Several private companies such as UDA Holdings Bhd, MK Curtain, travel company and the See Hua Group are also participating in the Hawana 2025 Carnival, which aims to attract 5,000 visitors. Meanwhile, the Hawana 2025 Media Forum will take place today at the Tun Hussein Onn Hall, WTCKL, at 9am, with the topic 'Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?' before continuing with a technology sharing session titled 'AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?' The forum, co-organised by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), also serves as a platform for the protem committee of the Malaysian Media Council to present their views on the future of the media following the passing of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill 2024. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will launch Hawana 2025 together with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. Also expected to attend are Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also Hawana 2025 project director, as well as the top management of media companies in the country. This year's Hawana celebration will also witness the presentation of the Hawana 2025 Award and Hawana 2025 Special Award to individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of journalism. Hawana 2025 continues throughout the year with media sports events that highlight traditional elements and a series of tours to premier polytechnics in Selangor, Perak and Johor. May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day in conjunction with the publication of the first edition of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939, to celebrate the contributions of industry players who serve as a medium for shaping an informed society.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
REHDA warns 6pct SST will drive up home prices
KUALA LUMPUR: The Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (REHDA) Malaysia has cautioned that the newly imposed 6 per cent Sales and Service Tax (SST) on construction services will increase operational costs for developers and ultimately drive up home prices. While acknowledging the Ministry of Finance's recent announcement on the revised SST structure aimed at boosting government revenue, REHDA expressed concern over the unintended consequences this tax could have on the property sector. "We have yet to determine the exact impact, but we expect the move will lead to a slowdown in the market as developers make adjustments to their plans," said president of the association, Datuk Ir Ho Hon Sang. He noted that the Association had previously engaged in consultations with the government to seek clarification and to highlight the tax's possible repercussions on the industry. "The industry is already bearing indirect taxes on construction-related items such as building materials and labour. The addition of the SST will only add to our burden. To maintain fairness, we sincerely hope that the SST will not be applied retrospectively. "Any price hike adjusted to contracts signed prior to the effective date could result in cost overruns which left developers with no choice but to absorb the additional cost," he said. While the exemption for residential buildings and public housing-related amenities offers partial relief, REHDA remains concerned about developments built on commercial land, particularly serviced apartments in mixed-use projects. "In today's urban landscape, especially in city centres, where residential units are often part of mixed developments due to land scarcity, subjecting these units to SST will inevitably lead to increased housing prices, ultimately impacting homebuyers who will have to bear the brunt," Ho said. Ho warned that low-income buyers, including those who purchase affordable homes under programs like Rumah Madani, Rumah Selangorku, and Rumah Mesra Rakyat, will also be adversely affected if their homes are located on commercial land. Additionally, several local authorities require commercial components such as shop lots within strata residential schemes. These units, along with internal infrastructure built within the development, will also be subjected to the SST, further inflating costs, he said in a statement. REHDA is appealing to the government to delay the implementation, currently scheduled in about two weeks, and proposes a grace period until 2026. "We respectfully request the government to consider postponing the implementation date, currently set for approximately two weeks from now. Many of our SME members have yet to register with the Inland Revenue Board and a grace period until 2026 would provide sufficient time for them to make the necessary preparations."
