DON'T BE TOO ABSORBED WITH COMPUTERS, READ BOOKS TOO

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) -- The people are advised not to be overly
obsessed with computers to the extent that they no longer read books.
Malaysia's Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said
it was dangerous if the people were too absorbed with computers because it could
affect the learning process especially among the younger generation who were the
country's hope of taking Malaysia to become a developed nation by 2020.
"The fascination with computers should be balanced by the fascination for
books so that we do not become slaves to computers and neglecting reading...this
is dangerous to learning," he told reporters at a media conference after
launching the 1Malaysia Reading Programme organised by the National Library here
Tuesday.
Describing obsession with computers a major hindrance in inculcating reading
habit, Rais said, there was a need for continuous programmes to inculcate the
culture of reading among the public.
The ministry, however, had no objections to the use of computers in teaching
and learning, Rais said.
"This is about habit... if one can spend three hours in front of a computer,
perhaps he or she can also spend one or two hours reading books. Make this a
second nature," he added.
On the existence of online book clubs, Rais said such a move should be
supported 100 per cent.
He suggested that local publications, including classic books, be uploaded
to the Internet to make them accessible to the public.
Earlier in his speech, Rais said the reading habit among Malaysians had
improved, with an average of eight to 12 books a year, compared with only two
books four years ago.
Based on records compiled by the National Library, about 38 million people
patronised 2,429 libraries in 2008 with 19.55 million book borrowings, from only
12.61 million in 2007.
"This clearly shows an increase in the reading interest among Malaysians and
this will someday become a culture," he added.
Rais said there was also a better awareness among the public on the
importance of reading as indicated by their response to reading programmes and
activities organised by the National Library.
To attract more participations for such programmes, Rais said, the ministry
would invite the country's icons like former prime minister Dr Mahathir
Mohamad and astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha, in its
campaign to promote reading.
-- BERNAMA