KENINGAU: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said Malaysia ranked 53rd among over 60 countries as the world’s most literate nations.
He said this was the result of a study conducted by Central Connecticut State University, United States of America on over 60 countries in the world.
He said the study found that the top 10 countries listed as the world’s most literate nations were Finland, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States of America, Germany, Latvia and the Netherlands.
“Malaysia is ranked 53th, compared to Singapore at 36th, Thailand at 59th and Indonesia at 60th,” he said when officiating at the Keningau Book Carnival (KBK) at the Keningau Regional Library here, yesterday.
Masidi’s speech was read by Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Haji Kamarlin Haji Ombi.
Masidi said when talking about literacy, keep in mind the books as being a ‘special friend’ who understood and gave hope.
“Reading is a noble practice and should be a lifelong lifestyle. It is a way to gain knowledge,” he said, adding that people who loved to read were knowledgeable.
“I support this program and hopefully this kind of program can continue in the future and be an annual program.”
Masidi called on the people here to constantly cultivate an interest in reading because the practice of reading is one of the learning processes that must last a lifetime and be able to create a knowledgeable and balanced society.
Masidi was informed that the first carnival in this district was by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in 1972 and was known as the Reading Movement.
Also present were head of Keningau Regional Library Zaiton Sairidi, Assistant District Officer Celestine Jetony, DBP Sabah senior marketing executive Mas Im Hashim and Sabah BTPN assistant director-general Junaidi Adam.