Kuala lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) must intensify its digitalisation of knowledge resources to stay relevant in the digital age, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The government recognises DBP's efforts, including the JendelaDBP platform, online dictionaries via the Malay Reference and Literature Centre (PRPM), its linguistic portal and other digital initiatives.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, these efforts must go further. Ahmad Zahid emphasized the need to leverage digital technology, artificial intelligence, and big data to broaden access to knowledge. He highlighted the importance of collaborations with universities, research centers, and libraries globally, not just within the Islamic world, to ensure Malaysia's voice is heard on the global intellectual stage. This call to action was made at the launch of DBP's latest encyclopedias and during the appointment ceremony for official translators and editors.

At the event, Ahmad Zahid officiated the release of six new encyclopedias covering various subjects including Malay Literature, Marine Fish, Infectious Diseases, Freshwater Fish, Insects, and Nuclear Science. He urged for these encyclopedias to be integrated into the national education system, serving as references in schools, universities, training institutions, and religious learning centers. He stressed the importance of these works not becoming neglected, urging that they play a vital role in education and daily reference.

Ahmad Zahid pledged to ensure the availability of these encyclopedias at all MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM) and called on the Education Ministry to implement this nationwide. He described the encyclopedias as "a roadmap of knowledge, a compass guiding civilization, and a mirror reflecting our national identity." He further elaborated that encyclopedias serve as a nation's intellectual infrastructure, organizing verified facts, protecting minds from misinformation, and opening horizons that foster critical, innovative, and wise thinking.