Bureau's Books Need To Publicised To Attract Readers
By Dewi Mohd Sofri

Bandar Seri Begawan - Uninteresting topics and contents as well as lack of publicity have been cited as some of the reasons as to why books published by the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) fail to capture the attention of local readers, especially youths.

"The topics, contents and the essence of most of their stories or books are not interesting and so do not appeal to the younger generation," said a senior police inspector who requested anonymity. The situation will not change otherwise, he said.

"Even if they promote or organise a roadshow to the schools, I doubt students will buy them."

He suggested that the bureau should publish new books with topics that suit their target market. Also, more investments should be made in terms of advertising for the books.

"If we look at the local books, at times it just suddenly appears without proper promotion, etc. We don't even get the chance to know who the authors are," he said.

This sentiment was echoed by Mohd Raihan Hj Abdul Rahman, a secondary five student from Sultan Sharif Ali Secondary School in Salambigar.

"They need to do more advertising because most of us (young) Bruneians do not know of the books," he said.

According to Mohd Raihan who was one of the students invited to attend the forum during the launching of Reading Month 2008, young people do not know who the writers are.

"So we don't really bother," he said adding that if there were more local books written by young authors the chances of them buying them would be higher.

One of the points highlighted during the forum was that most Bruneians prefer to read international books and favour the ones written in English over Malay.

"I prefer reading books in English to improve my language (proficiency)," said another student, Syadatul Amalhafezah Abdullah, from Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Lela Secondary School in Mentiri who was also at the forum.

She reads on average four books in a month and takes two to three days to finish one adding that she also carries a book wherever she goes which was called for during the forum.

"I have to because it is my hobby but I do not read books published by Bruneians," she said. When asked as to the reasons, she could not giver the answer.

Asnan Hj Aman, a Malay teacher from Jamalul Alam Secondary School felt that the discouraging response to local books was a concern for everyone.

"The relevant authorities should not just talk about it in the media. Do something, take actions such as going to schools," he said.

"We don't ask them (readers) to come to us but rather we go to them."

The Language and Literature Bureau's Deputy Assistant Director in an interview with The Brunei Times admitted that the department has a problem when it comes to promoting books they published.

"In terms of publicity, maybe this is our problem, marketing-wise," Aminah Momin said.

However, she said, several steps have been taken such as sending a list of their book titles to government agencies for purchase.

The bureau has published a total of 784 books since it started printing in 1965.

On the content-wise of their publications the deputy director said that "most of the books published are from the winners of our competitions and they must follow certain themes, rules and regulations, maybe that is why the books are not well-received".

She also said the fact that fiction books published by the bureau were not sold at the local bookstores might contribute to the books not being known among the public. According to her books published by DBP only make appearances during special occasions such as Reading Month, annual Book Fair and book exhibitions and sales at schools. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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