good news for writers

13Friday · Post time 4-2-2007 02:51 PM

[size=-1][size=+1]Plan for fund to purchase works of authors Lahad Datu: The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry plans to set up a fund to purchase creative works of authors so that they will continue writing. Its Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the plan was still at the discussion stage with the treasury and he hoped the fund would be provided as soon as possible. Speaking to reporters after opening the Lahad Datu library Saturday, he said many authors were at a loss because their works were dumped at the hands of publishers. With the fund, authors' fate would be vindicated, he said. The RM4 million library was funded by the Federal Government. Rais also said the reading level among Malaysians had been relatively low, as independent estimates showed they read an average of not more than two books a year. However, such estimate could not be taken for granted, considering that the survey was only made following a random survey involving 60 Malaysians by certain quarters, he said. Rais assured that the Ministry would continue with its development programmes in guiding rural libraries throughout the country to ensure that the knowledge acquired by the rural folks are not static. Also present were Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin, Silam MP Datuk Samsu Baharun Abdul Rahman, Lahad Datu Assemblyman Datuk Nasrun Datu Mansur and senior Government officials.