SHAH ALAM, Nov 28 — Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin graced the launch of the Selangor International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025 at the Setia City Convention Centre today.
Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed by state executive councillor for youth, sports, and entrepreneurship Mohd Najwan Halimi and Selangor Public Library Corporation (PPAS) director Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad.
In her speech, Mastura said SIBF 2025 welcomed 14 delegate countries with four international forum speakers and 12 fellows, which include Sharjah House of Wisdom executive director Marwa Al Aqroubi, Nami Island Arts and Education Incorporated chief executive officer cum International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Trust Board Member Fred Minn.
Other key figures include the Lifetree Promotion Centre's president and IBBY board of directors member Zhang Mingzhou, and Southern Publishing and Media Co., Ltd. China's International Publishing Department director Chen Bin.
“This year marks the first Ambassadors’ Workshop, which was held yesterday at the Raja Tun Uda Library, Shah Alam, and the Selangor International Forum.
“Guangdong, China, is attending the Book Fair for the second time as our Focus State and Sister Fair, and Tamil Nadu, India, as the Focus State that invited us to Chennai International Book Fair 2024,” she said.
Mastura added that ahead of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) 2025 in Kazakhstan, PPAS will showcase one of its community-centred projects.
The project, which involves a poster presentation titled Healing Through Urban Farming at PPAS Kg. Lindungan @ PJKita Community Library highlights an initiative that connects the community with nature and promotes overall well-being.
“This year’s IFLA conference had the highest poster participation from the Raja Tun Uda Library and Selangor Public Library with 7 posters representing various libraries’ initiatives,” she said.
During the event, the book The Mysterious and Magical World of Fireflies, Kampung Kuantan, Kuala Selangor was also launched.
