Books

Do people in Malaysia realise that books in this country is underrated. Yes they are. What I mean is that people in this country do not read as much as other country. Why? Books here are so expensive. Sometimes you even wonder why is it so expensive. A book on average is around 70-90 ringgit (Penguins Paperback). Each month I would want to read at least 4-5 books, I need at least 300 ringgit to cover such ambition.

Eventhough malaysia is a so-called Islamic country, we are not even practising the first word that ”god” told Muhammad- which is “read”0r in Arabic “iqra”. Look back at history, Al andalus- what make the empire so great? - BOOKS. Yes millions of books was translated back then. Not the one from Mecca nor Medinah. The book from the greeks. Of course. The Arabs were not so great back then nor they are today. Bunch of ”jahil” (ignorant). Thats why the prophet was sent there. The renaissence of the arabs. Yet they are still proud (ignorant). Yes Millions of books were translated in old spain. Many books here are banned for the public. Such as the prince. Karen Armstrong’s books, and many other religion , philosophy-related books, politics and many other. What do we have here in Borders the curve- A huge section of Manga (japanese cartoon), 3 huge section of Crimes and collections of the Singapore horror books. Where are the books from Ibn Sinr, Books from Al-kindi? Where are the collections of the Indian-Classics? Books about history of Malacca? Books about Majapahit. Where are the books from the chinese philosphers?

Not only that. Malaysian books are taxed. Yes they are. “Thats how they make money” when I asked the cashier at “Borders the curve”. As a Malaysian, I think people love imported products. The Coffee, Shirts, The books, even their burgers. We love being whom we are not. We like to see things not to imagine.

What else can we use to improve our imagination than books? Not blogs. of course. People like to write about their life. Not about wisdom.

To foreign investors who is reading this. Come to Malaysia and if you have an ambition to create a book printing business in Malaysia leave a quick comment as a foreigner you need a Malaysian partner to start a business here (51/49)