By: Mohd. Affzanizam Mohd Amin
Picture: Ernest Berinus
FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) hosted the 1st Borneo Book Fair which begins yesterday until 21 September.

The book fair held at the 1Borneo Shopping Mall was the result of recommendations of the Council of Academic Publication Council of Malaysia (MAPIM) that suggested UMS through UMS Publisher organises a book fair that includes not only Sabah and Sarawak but Brunei and Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.

UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah said, the organisation of Borneo Book Fair among others  was to encourage and promote the culture of reading among the people of this country.

“Through this exhibition and sale of various genres of local and foreign literature, will provide more exposure and selection for visitors to buy these reading materials.

“It is hoped that this book fair will help in promoting academic books in addition to a wide range of academic and non-academic books,” he said at the opening ceremony of the event.

He added that the organisation of the Borneo Book Fair was expected to support the efforts of the government and the private sector in fostering regional cooperation between Brunei Darussalam, Kalimantan and territories under the BIMP-EAGA.

“The organisers also hope that this book fair will be made into an annual event and be included in the state tourism calendar,” he added. - (fl)