Pm Book Vouchers For Over 400k Teachers Guidelines For Students

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Over 400,000 teachers will be given book vouchers this year as part of the government’s ongoing initiative to promote reading habits, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He said teachers have a great responsibility in disseminating knowledge as well as playing a role in fostering students’ interest in reading.
“This year, we are giving vouchers to all teachers. Next year, we will look at the economic situation first, because we are fighting (US President) Donald Trump’s tariffs,” he said.
The prime minister was speaking during the closing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL) 2025 at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur today.
Also present were Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, 2025 PBAKL organising chairperson Khair Ngadiron, and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka director-general Hazami Jahari.
ADSPreviously, in May last year, Anwar announced book vouchers worth RM50 for Standard Four, Five, and Six students, and RM100 for higher education students.
Not all books promote knowledge
Meanwhile, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, announced that the provision of book vouchers to students of higher education institutions would continue using the existing allocation, but suggested modifications to the initiative.
He said clear guidelines are needed to prevent claims or purchases of poor-quality publications.
“There should be guidelines, not all the books purchased are of quality and promote knowledge,” he said.
The prime minister also praised the organisation of PBAKL 2025, describing it as fostering reading habits among the people. He expressed his appreciation to parents and teachers who brought their children and students to obtain reading materials at the festival.
Anwar also participated in a special session by reviewing four of his chosen books, namely ‘Kemiskinan Melayu dan Jalan Kepulihannya’ by Za’ba; ‘Jejak-jejak di Pantai Zaman’ by Ungku A Aziz; ‘Fikrah Siddiq Fadzil: The Image of Malay-Islamic Culture and Civilization’ by Siddiq Fadzil, and ‘Islam in Malay History and Culture’ by Syed Muhammad Naquib Al-Attas.
He also took the time to visit the stalls of the PBKL participants.
Themed ‘Buku: Membaca, Memimpin’, the 42nd edition of PBAKL, which took place since May 23 and ended today, recorded 1.8 million visitors throughout the 10-day fair.
- Bernama

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