Latest news with #NationalLibraryofMalaysia
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Miri's beloved hornbills Jimmy and Faridah live on in new book by local author
Jamila holding her new book which she published on her own. MIRI (May 24): A heartfelt tale of love, loss and second chances comes to life in a new book written by local author Jamila Abdul Basha, celebrating the lives of Miri's beloved hornbills, Jimmy and Faridah. Titled 'A Love Story: Jimmy and Faridah', the book tells the emotional story of the oriental pied hornbill pair whose bond, tragedy and legacy touched the hearts of many and helped inspire the creation of the Piasau Nature Reserve. The story also introduces Juliet, Jimmy's new mate after Faridah's death, showing how life in the reserve continues to evolve with hope and resilience. Jamila began her research in 2021, and finalised the book earlier this year. Writing the book, she said, was not simply a matter of documenting facts; it required emotional immersion. 'When writing the book, I put myself in Jimmy's position to better convey the emotions of the story. These birds have feelings of joy and sadness. When Faridah died, Jimmy was greatly affected,' she said. Her motivation to write the book stemmed from a desire to preserve the hornbills' story beyond oral retellings. 'If their story is not penned into words and kept in a book, it would be unfortunate for it would be lost forever, only passed on as a verbal story from one generation to another,' she added. More than just a wildlife story, the book presents moral lessons through the lives of the birds, particularly Jimmy, whose loyalty, patience, and faithfulness reflect values often cherished in human families. 'Jimmy showed qualities that we may find lacking in our generation. I hope readers, especially children, will be inspired by the values embedded in this story,' Jamila said. Cover of 'A Love Story: Jimmy and Faridah'. In 2013, Faridah was tragically killed in a poaching incident, despite being part of a protected species under Sarawak's wildlife laws. Locals mourned the loss, as did Jimmy, who showed clear signs of distress after her passing. Over time, Jimmy found companionship again with Juliet, offering a powerful symbol of the enduring beauty of second chances and the natural cycle of life. 'This love story creates an environment of love, sadness and joy, which are emotions common among us humans too. It reflects a family's experience of grief and the hope of a second chance at love,' she said. Beyond Sarawak, the story is already resonating with readers abroad. Jamila had the honour of presenting the first copies of her book to Mayor of Baguio city Philippines Benjamin B Magalong and his wife, Arlene Magalong during their visit to the Piasau Nature Reserve Park office on Wednesday (May 21). She also shared that the National Library of Malaysia had reached out to her regarding the book, and she has since sent five copies to the library to be kept in its collection for public access and preservation. 'A Love Story: Jimmy and Faridah' also marks Jamila's first book written entirely on her own. Drawing from years of observation and emotional reflection, she said the experience of crafting the story was deeply personal and fulfilling. The book includes personal reflections, photos, and historical background to help readers appreciate the hornbills' story and the reserve's creation. She hopes the story of Jimmy, Faridah and Juliet will continue to inspire both locals and visitors. 'This book is a gift to our children and future generations. I believe their story will be recognised by bird lovers everywhere. Those who hear about Jimmy will want to visit and experience the beauty of life in this part of the world,' she concluded. The book will be available after the launch, with further details on where to get copies to be announced. book Faridah hornbills Jamila Abdul Basha Jimmy love story miri
The Sun
24-04-2025
- General
- The Sun
Rekindling the power of the printed word
IN an age where attention spans flicker and digital screens dominate, there remains a quiet, enduring magic in the printed word – the crisp turn of a page, the whisper of paper and the rich scent of ink. On World Book Day, observed annually on April 23, Malaysians are reminded that books are not merely objects; they are companions, teachers and doorways into different times, cultures and dimensions. This global celebration invites us to pause, unplug and return to the joy of reading – a joy especially crucial for the younger generation growing up in the era of touchscreens and TikToks. Reading builds more than vocabulary; it nurtures empathy, imagination and independent thought. Whether it is a graphic novel, a science book or a retelling of local folklore, each page turned adds a brick to the foundation of a curious, well-rounded mind. In Malaysia, the importance of reading runs even deeper. The very first word revealed in the Qur'an was 'Read'. This divine command – 'Read in the name of your Lord who created' (Surah Al-'Alaq, 96:1) – reminds us that the pursuit of knowledge is a sacred act, blessed by faith and encouraged by culture. Every time a child picks up a book or a student dives into research, they are continuing a spiritual and intellectual tradition rooted in reverence. And perhaps there is no better place to honour that sacred act than the National Library of Malaysia. Nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the library is not just a building – it is a living narrative, one that intertwines culture, architecture and national identity. Designed by the late Datuk Dr Ikmal Hisham Albakri, the library's iconic roof mimics the tengkolok, a traditional Malay headgear once worn by warriors and royalty. In this powerful gesture, knowledge is visually tied to leadership and intellect to heritage. Step inside and you will find more than rows of books. You will discover interactive archives, quiet reading zones, storytelling corners and exhibitions that showcase rare Malay manuscripts. It is a place where students can trace their roots and imagine their futures – often in the same visit. World Book Day is celebrated here, not with hushed reverence, but with vibrancy and fun. Each year, the library bursts to life with storytelling sessions by local authors, cosplay contests, creative writing workshops, book-themed quizzes and even art projects where children imagine and draw their dream library. Nationwide, schools join the movement with book donation drives, reading challenges and social media campaigns like #MyBookMyWorld, where students share their favourite reads and why they matter. At the heart of it all is the vision of Ikmal, who once believed that buildings could be storytellers. In designing the National Library, he gave Malaysia more than just a place to read – he gave the nation a symbol of curiosity, intellect and continuity. Every visitor, whether a child hearing their first fairy tale or a researcher poring over manuscripts, becomes part of that ongoing story. Let us make World Book Day more than a date on the calendar. Let us turn it into a personal ritual and a national movement. Visit the library. Borrow a book. Share a story. Write your own. Because in the end, every great adventure begins with a reader, and that reader could be you. Dr Zuraini Md Ali is an associate professor at the Building Surveying Department, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya. Datin Dr Nor Hayati Hussain is an assistant professor at the School of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology and an active member of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia. Comments: letters@
Malay Mail
23-04-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Where stories live: Rediscovering the joy of reading at our National Library — Zuraini Md Ali and Nor Hayati Hussain
APRIL 23 — In an age where attention spans flicker and digital screens dominate, there remains a quiet, enduring magic in the printed word—the crisp turn of a page, the whisper of paper, the rich scent of ink. On World Book Day, observed annually on April 23, Malaysians are reminded that books are not merely objects; they are companions, teachers, and doorways into different times, cultures, and dimensions. This global celebration invites us to pause, unplug, and return to the joy of reading—a joy especially crucial for the younger generation growing up in the era of touchscreens and TikToks. Reading builds more than vocabulary; it nurtures empathy, imagination, and independent thought. Whether it's a graphic novel, a science book, or a retelling of local folklore, each page turned adds a brick to the foundation of a curious, well-rounded mind. In Malaysia, the importance of reading runs even deeper. The very first word revealed in the Quran was 'Read.' This divine command— 'Read in the name of your Lord who created' (Surah Al-'Alaq, 96:1)—reminds us that the pursuit of knowledge is a sacred act, blessed by faith and encouraged by culture. Every time a child picks up a book or a student dives into research, they are continuing a spiritual and intellectual tradition rooted in reverence. And perhaps there's no better place to honour that sacred act than the National Library of Malaysia (PNM). The National Library of Malaysia. — Pic via Wikimedia Nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the library is not just a building— it is a living narrative, one that intertwines culture, architecture, and national identity. Designed by the late Ar. Ikmal Hisham Albakri, the library's iconic roof mimics the tengkolok, a traditional Malay headgear once worn by warriors and royalty. In this powerful gesture, knowledge is visually tied to leadership, and intellect to heritage. Step inside, and you'll find more than rows of books. You'll discover interactive archives, quiet reading zones, storytelling corners, and exhibitions that showcase rare Malay manuscripts. It is a place where students can trace their roots and imagine their futures —often in the same visit. World Book Day is celebrated here not with hushed reverence, but with vibrancy and fun. Each year, the library bursts to life with storytelling sessions by local authors, cosplay contests, creative writing workshops, book-themed quizzes, and even art projects where children imagine and draw their dream library. Nationwide, schools join the movement with book donation drives, reading challenges, and social media campaigns like #MyBookMyWorld, where students share their favorite reads and why they matter. At the heart of it all is the vision of Ar. Ikmal Hisham Albakri, who once believed that buildings could be storytellers. In designing the National Library, he gave Malaysia more than just a place to read — he gave the nation a symbol of curiosity, intellect, and continuity. Every visitor, whether a child hearing their first fairy tale or a researcher poring over manuscripts, becomes part of that ongoing story. So, on April 23 —and beyond—let us make World Book Day more than a date on the calendar. Let us turn it into a personal ritual, a national movement. Visit the library. Borrow a book. Share a story. Write your own. Because in the end, every great adventure begins with a reader. And that reader could be you. * Sr Dr Zuraini Md Ali is an Associate Professor at the Building Surveying Department, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya. She is the author of 'Mubin Sheppard: Pioneering Works in Architectural Conservation in Malaysia' (Penerbit UM, 2016), which won the Anugerah Buku Negara (2021) and Anugerah Akademik Negara (2022). She may be reached at [email protected]. * Datin Dr Nor Hayati Hussain is an Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT), and an active graduate member of Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia. She may be reached at [email protected].
New Straits Times
22-04-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Promote libraries as catalyst for national progress
SUNGAI PETANI: Libraries must be given greater prominence and highlighted as a catalyst for national progress, including in the economy, politics, society, education and culture. National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said libraries, as repositories of knowledge, played a very significant role in the development of a nation. "Currently, there are 1,076 village libraries providing services to all Malaysians from Perlis to Sabah," he said after launching the 2025 Let's Read Together for 10 Minutes programme and distribution of Semarak Membaca 2025 book vouchers, held in conjunction with World Book and Copyright Day, here today. Of the total, 506 libraries are managed by the National Library of Malaysia (PNM), while the remaining 570 fall under state administration. "This does not include university libraries, state public libraries, libraries in government agencies, as well as school resource centres, which total 13,674," he said. Aaron said the culture of reading should be turned into a lifestyle as it is the first step towards all forms of progress and encourages a more progressive and mature mindset among the people. He added that a country's progress and the advancement of its civilisation could flourish if its people were of a high intellectual calibre, nurtured through the practice of reading. "In line with this goal, the Ministry of National Unity, through PNM, has implemented a total of 48,686 reading promotion programmes in 2024. "As part of the ongoing effort to promote the reading culture among the people, the government, through the ministry, has organised the 'Let's Read for 10 Minutes' programme and the Semarak Membaca 2025 book vouchers in conjunction with World Book and Copyright Day," he said. He said the programme had the potential to rekindle interest in reading, in line with the government's vision to build a knowledgeable society. – BERNAMA
