(From second right) Salina and Ahmad Lai join others to support the ‘Lets Read Together For 10 Minutes’ programme.
MIRI: Books document knowledge and have been sources of reference for many generations.
And although there are reading materials in digital form, Sibuti MP Ahmad Lai said such digital reading materials were still in the category of books.
“We should respect the reading material copyright in any format including those in digital form.
“Reading materials cannot simply be copied because books are the literary works and intellectual properties of the writers,” he said when officiating at the opening of ‘Lets Read Together for 10 Minutes’ at Pustaka Miri on Thursday.
Also present was the library’s regional manager Salina Zawawi.
Ahmad Lai said the Copyright Act 1987 carried a fine not less than RM2,000 and not more than RM20,000 for each infringed copy or imprisonment of not more than five years or both.
On the programme, he hoped that it would be continued to enhance the people’s reading habit.
“I’ve been informed similar programme held here last year attracted some 700 participants.
I believe the programme will bring joy of reading among the people from all walks of life here.”
The (reading) programme is the brainchild of the Library Directors Council of Malaysia held in conjunction with World Book and Copyright Day.
Several activities have been planned throughout the week and among them are Writing Workshop, My Favourite Read Session, Tower of Books Challenge 2014 Appreciation Nite, Online Database Training, Storytelling Session, Information Literacy Skills Sessions with Curtin University and reading Picnic.