Shah alam: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, today graced the launch of Selangor International Book Fair (SIBF) 2025 at Setia City Convention Centre, here. Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed by Selangor Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi and Selangor Public Library Corporation director Datin Paduka Mastura Muhamad.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mastura, in her speech, stated that SIBF 2025 welcomed 14 delegate countries with four international forum speakers and 12 fellows. The notable speakers include Sharjah House of Wisdom executive director Marwa Al Aqroubi, Nami Island Arts and Education Incorporated CEO and International Board on Books for Young People Trust Board Member Fred Minn, IBBY Board of Directors member and President of Lifetree Promotion Center Zhang Mingzhou, and Southern Publishing and Media Co., Ltd. China director Chen Bin.
Mastura noted that this year marks the first Ambassadors' Workshop, held at the Raja Tun Uda Library, Shah Alam, alongside the Selangor International Forum. She highlighted the participation of Guangdong, China, attending the Book Fair for the second time as the Focus State and Sister Fair, and Tamil Nadu, India, as the Focus State that invited Selangor to the Chennai International Book Fair 2024.
Ahead of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions World Library and Information Congress 2025 in Kazakhstan, Mastura shared that the state agency plans to showcase a community-centred project. This project, featuring a poster presentation titled Healing Through Urban Farming at PPAS Kg. Lindungan PJKita Community Library, aims to connect the community with nature and promote well-being.
Mastura further noted that this year's IFLA conference saw the highest poster participation from the Raja Tun Uda Library and Selangor Public Library, with seven posters representing various libraries' initiatives. During the event, a book titled 'The Mysterious and Magical World of Fireflies, Kampung Kuantan, Kuala Selangor' was also launched.