MALAYSIANS READ 8-12 BOOKS A YEAR

IPOH (Malaysia), May 29 (Bernama) -- The reading habit among Malaysians is
still moderate with an average rate of between eight and 12 books a year
although this is an increase compared to the figures in previous years, said
Deputy Information Communication and Culture Minister Senator Heng Seai Kei.

She said, however, the ministry was still not happy with this achievement
and efforts to encourage reading habit were being intensified with the
collaboration of all parties concerned including the schools, associations and
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as corporate bodies.

"The statistics are based on the average reading rate according to age
groups where we find that students have an average reading rate of 12 books a
year. However, after completing their studies or after attaining the age of 21,
the average reading rate drops to eight books a year," she told reporters after
launching the "1Malaysia Let's Read Programme" at the Sekolah Menengah Jenis
Kebangsaan Yuk Choy (Secondary School), here Saturday.

She said the Ministry was actively carrying out campaigns such as the
"1Malaysia Let's Read Programme", book donations by corporate bodies and NGOs,
and the involvement of bus companies in providing reading corners which would
help in achieving the target of an average reading rate of 15 books a year
within the next three years.

Heng said that as a third world country, the average reading rate in
Malaysia was still moderate compared to the developed countries.

-- BERNAMA