We’re just days away from the launch of #KOTABACA2026! Spearheaded by the Ministry of Education (MOE), this national literacy event aims to strengten the reawill take place from 23rd to 26th April 2026 at Dataran Merdeka
In just a few days, Malaysia will witness the launch of KOTA BACA 2026, a national literacy event taking place from 23rd to 26th April 2026 in conjunction with World Book and Copyright Day. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and implemented by Perbadanan Kota Buku, this initiative aims to strengthen the reading culture among Malaysians.
KOTA BACA 2026 is designed to institutionalise reading as a social norm, in line with the Malaysia MADANI aspiration of building a knowledgeable, ethical, and highly skilled society. The initiative also supports the National Reading Decade (2021–2030), with a focus on cultivating reading as a foundation for human capital development and a knowledge-based economy.
YB Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education, will officiate the national-level World Book and Copyright Day celebration on 23 April 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Library, marking the official launch of KOTA BACA 2026. The programme will adopt a hybrid approach, including digital participation and a nationwide 10-minute simultaneous reading session. During the same event, YB Fadhlina will also launch the Malaysia Reading Map dashboard, which showcases data on reading habits and book purchases nationwide, serving as a key reference for monitoring the country’s reading culture.
The physical event will take place at Dataran Merdeka from 24th to 26th April 2026, featuring a wide range of programmes from 7am to 10pm daily. The event brings together literacy activities, community engagement, the book industry, private sector players, and agencies within an inclusive and high-impact ecosystem. Key highlights include a special Friday sermon on the importance of reading across mosques in the Federal Territories on 24th April (Friday), BukaBuku by Keretapi Sarong on the evening of 25th April (Saturday), the Pidato Negarawan on the night of 25th April, and the 5KM Book Character Run on the morning of 26th April (Sunday).
Largest Book Exchange Gathering in Southeast Asia
The public is encouraged to attend on the night of 25th April to participate in the Largest Book Exchange Gathering in Southeast Asia by bringing books to exchange with other visitors. Special stickers will be provided by volunteers, and participants are encouraged to gather by book genres under designated giant balloons to facilitate an organised and interactive exchange session.
Throughout the event, visitors can explore over 100 retail and exhibition booths, participate in a nationwide “Kelah Buku” activity, join live Book Review Podcasts, and meet authors, writers, and illustrators. Additional attractions include Mrs. Baca Malaysia, Kopi & Buku Café, Kota Baca Passport, and various community programmes for all. The programme will also feature KOTA BACA icons such as National Laureate Datuk Seri A. Samad Said, alongside writers and personalities including ZRA, Hafizul Faiz, Hilal Asyraf, and Lavina Jacinta (Mrs. Malaysia World 2025), who actively promote reading culture.
Also featured is the AI Smart Hub, offering insights into artificial intelligence in the book industry through sessions by Google and AI expert Nadio Granata. This reflects a collaborative effort between the government, industry, and community in advancing the national literacy agenda. The event also emphasises the importance of nurturing new readers consistently across society. KOTA BACA not only promotes reading as an individual activity but transforms it into an engaging, relevant, and impactful experience in today’s digital world.
Chief Executive Officer of Perbadanan Kota Buku, Adibah Omar, said, “KOTA BACA 2026 is a collective national effort to elevate reading as the foundation of a knowledgeable society. Our main focus is to continuously cultivate new readers across all segments of society.” She added, “With the support of the Ministry of Education and the involvement of various stakeholders, we are building a sustainable and inclusive reading ecosystem in line with the Malaysia MADANI aspiration.”
All Malaysians are invited to Dataran Merdeka from 24th to 26th April 2026 to experience the vibrancy of KOTA BACA 2026 from morning to night, in line with the spirit, “In This City, Everyone Reads.” In addition to the various activities, visitors can enjoy exclusive book deals on the Book Capital platform (mall.bookcapital.com.my), including daily free shipping (capped at RM10 per transaction). Attractive promotions will also be available on TikTok Shop throughout the event.
KOTA BACA is not just an annual event—it is an ongoing effort to position Malaysia as a reading nation by 2030, with a new generation of readers as the foundation of the country’s future strength. For more information, visit Kota Buku’s official social media pages.
