Improved reading habits urged

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro called yesterday for people to promote the joy of reading as part of the efforts to create a better-educated society.

Wardiman said at an award presentation that writers, publishers and distributors should, without having to resort to tax breaks and government subsidies as has been suggested, work together to develop a greater appreciation of reading and writing.

He stressed the need for greater parental involvement to promote reading habits among children. Through these efforts higher sales volumes would follow, resulting in higher incomes for writers and publishers.

Wardiman noted some progress in the efforts that various parties have made to promote reading, such as the increasing popularity of computer-related and English books among Indonesia's youth.

This year's awards were divided into seven categories, selected by experts in their respective fields.

They comprise city planning, the Sakai tribe in Sumatra, democracy in Indonesia, a literary anthology on aspects of Indonesian life, the Islamization of Java, a children's work of fiction and a translated chemical engineering text.

Each of the eight recipients received a check for Rp 5 million (US$2,100) from the Book Foundation.

The annual book award scheme, held by the Book Foundation, has rewarded 114 titles over the past 22 years.

The total number of titles published each year in Indonesia is about 5,000, the ministry's secretary of library sciences Soekarman said.

He said the subjects usually considered include science and technology, social issues, humanities, literature, children's books and translations of foreign books.

He cited his concern for quality children's books, which are the most underrepresented category. (01)