The Johor International Book Bazaar returned for its fifth edition, bringing together 85 exhibitors from Malaysia and seven other countries, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, China, and India. The event, organised by the Johor Public Library Corporation (PPAJ), was held at a shopping mall in Johor, Malaysia, aiming to provide a platform for diverse voices and non-mainstream titles to reach a broader audience.
Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, chairman of Johor’s information and education committee, highlighted that the bazaar marked Malaysia’s first government-initiated international book fair. He emphasized the importance of books as reliable sources of information amidst the prevalence of misinformation. “Efforts such as this must continue to give the public access to credible sources while encouraging more writers to produce their own works,” Dr Muhammad Naqib said during the event’s opening.
The bazaar provided smaller and independent publishers opportunities to showcase their work, noted exhibitor Siti Shakira Suhaimi, who operates Toko Buku Rakyat alongside her husband Amir Hamzah. Established in 2012 as a publishing house, the company now also runs a physical bookstore in Kuala Lumpur. The independent publisher focuses on titles covering socialism, philosophy, Islamic thought, and translations of works by authors such as Leo Tolstoy and Friedrich Nietzsche in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia. Siti Shakira stressed the value of translations for readers more comfortable in local languages. She described the Johor event as one of the largest state-level book fairs, noting its venue in a shopping mall contributed to greater accessibility.
Author and illustrator Emila Yusof echoed the importance of such events in providing access to titles often not available in mainstream bookstores. Emila, whose portfolio includes children’s novels and picture books, brought handmade journaling materials in addition to her books to engage with attendees directly.
Southern University College’s lecturer Loh Yu Chiang showcased creative works from current and former journalism and communication students, aiming to promote their projects to the public. Among the featured works were collaborative publications by primary school pupils developed through workshops designed to enhance visual literacy and storytelling skills.
The international nature of the bazaar was further underscored by the presence of Clarissa Villamor, an attaché from the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Villamor highlighted the opportunity to showcase Filipino culture through books covering history, politics, folklore, and cuisine. Featured works included those relating to national hero Jose Rizal and contemporary takes on mythical creatures. She also noted a cultural exchange, discovering a strong presence of Malay literature and young adult fiction at the bazaar.
Singaporean author and publisher Salbiah Bahri, founder of the children’s book imprint Little People, Big Words, emphasized the role of book fairs in fostering language and cultural understanding among children and parents. Drawing from her background in early childhood literacy, she explained how her books use familiar cultural themes, such as local foods nasi lemak and durian, to connect young readers with traditional family practices. The books also incorporate prompts to encourage interactive reading and language development.
The Johor International Book Bazaar continues to serve as a vital platform for promoting diverse literary voices, fostering cultural exchange, and supporting independent publishers and emerging authors in the Southeast Asian region.