Adibah Omar Brings ASEAN Reading Agenda to TIBE 2026, Strengthening Global Literary Links
KUALA LUMPUR: Chief Executive Officer of Perbadanan Kota Buku, Adibah Omar, has championed stronger regional reading cooperation among ASEAN nations at the Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Taipei 2026, positioning literature as a vital tool of cultural diplomacy.
Speaking at the International Publishing Forum held at the Taipei World Trade Center, she emphasized that reading is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a bridge that connects societies and civilizations.
Adibah noted that Southeast Asia holds strong potential to emerge as a regional literacy hub through coordinated publishing and cultural partnerships.
A Three-Dimensional Strategy for ASEAN Publishing
She outlined a three-dimensional approach to strengthening the regional book industry: Policy and Trust, Market and Distribution, and People and Imagination.
Under Policy and Trust, she highlighted the coordinating role of the ASEAN Book Publishers Association in harmonizing publishing standards.
For Market and Distribution, platforms such as the ASEAN Rights Fair were cited as key drivers for accelerating cross-border copyright trade.
Meanwhile, People and Imagination can be nurtured through regional and international literary festivals, including the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival and the George Town Literary Festival.
“When stories travel across borders, they cultivate empathy, trust, and lasting soft power,” she said.
Translation and Ethical Use of AI
In her keynote address titled Through the Looking Glass: How Reading Cooperation Builds Soft Power in a Fragmented World, Adibah identified language and translation barriers as major constraints to regional content circulation.
However, she said artificial intelligence could become a powerful enabler if applied responsibly, without undermining cultural sensitivity or professional translators.
She also highlighted the success of Malaysia’s MADANI Book Voucher programmes, which have leveraged digital platforms to expand public access to books.
Strengthening Malaysia’s Role in Global Publishing
Adibah reaffirmed PKB’s commitment to expanding international cooperation in copyright exchange, market development, and literacy promotion.
She stressed that Malaysia aims to be an active contributor to global publishing, rather than merely a consumer of international content.
The 34th edition of TIBE featured more than 500 booths from 29 countries and over 60 international authors, reinforcing its status as one of Asia’s most influential platforms for literary exchange and cultural dialogue.
-wilayah.com.my
