House Commission XIII: Book System Bill guarantees equal access to knowledge

House Commission XIII Chairman Willy Aditya stated that the Book System Bill is being drafted to guarantee public access to books and knowledge as a fundamental right of citizens, while also improving the national book ecosystem. “If food is a basic need for the body, books must also be seen as nourishment for the brain. Both must be placed on an equal footing. This is what we must fight for,” Willy said during a public discussion in Yogyakarta. He emphasised that the state must ensure access to books is not only enjoyed by people in large cities but also reaches communities in villages and remote areas through more inclusive book policies. “The state must be present as a facilitator ensuring equal access to books. The basic right to knowledge should not only be enjoyed by people in provincial capitals but must reach the villages,” he stated. According to Willy, the bill is crucial because the national book industry faces serious problems, evident from the closure of several bookstores and publishers in recent years. He explained that one issue in current book policy is the differing treatment between textbooks and general reading books, where the state heavily supports textbooks while general books rely more on market mechanisms. “Why is there such discrimination? We want there to be no more dichotomy between textbooks and general books,” he said. He affirmed that the constitutional mandate to educate the nation requires a knowledge ecosystem supported by books, scientific journals, libraries, authors, publishers, and bookstores. Willy also urged an evaluation of tax policies in the book sector, suggesting author taxes be reduced to zero per cent, and highlighted the need to strengthen school and regional libraries. The Book System Bill has been included in the 2026 Priority National Legislation Programme and will soon be discussed in the House’s Legislation Body.