KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Applications for electronic International Standard Book Numbers (eISBNs) rose by 78.07 percent in 2025 from the previous year, reflecting the rapid growth of digital publishing in the country's book industry, according to the Ministry of National Unity.
The ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid said 4,544 eISBN applications were recorded up to August 2026, while the number of publications registered under the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system increased by 16.87 per cent in 2025 compared with 2024.
She said the number of self-published works also rose by 56.76 percent in 2025 from the previous year.
“This development gives writers greater opportunities to publish their work, but such freedom must go hand in hand with quality, professionalism, copyright protection and sound marketing strategies,” she said at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Citra Penulis Carnival, themed “Pena Warisan, Inspirasi Perpaduan”, at the National Library of Malaysia (PNM) here today.
Also present were PNM director-general Edy Irwan Zulkafli and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Digital Library senior manager Hasnita Ibrahim.
Haslina said the book industry not only supported the creative sector but also stimulated economic growth, created jobs and helped develop micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
According to the 2022/2023 National Book Industry Data study, publishing activities generated RM18.59 billion in gross output and RM8.77 billion in value added from 2012 to 2021, she said, adding that the industry created 61,925 jobs and paid RM2.68 billion in salaries and wages during the period.
She said the book industry has a broad ecosystem of players, from writers, editors and translators to publishers, printers, distributors, booksellers and digital platform providers.
Haslina said PNM plays an important role in supporting the country's knowledge ecosystem through its collections, reading initiatives and digital services, while written works help preserve history and culture, pass on knowledge and promote understanding among Malaysia's diverse communities.
She said the 2026 Citra Penulis Carnival brought together writers, readers, publishers, students, and industry players to exchange ideas and knowledge, while helping strengthen the country's book industry.
The writers’ carnival, running from Oct 8 to 10, is PNM's first initiative organised in collaboration with writers and aims to attract 4,000 visitors both in person and online.
Meanwhile, eight-year-old N. Jeetesha Venu, who won the children's category of the creative unity reading TikTok performance competition, said she was interested in taking part after seeing information about it on the platform.
The Year Two pupil at a Tamil national type school in Perak said she spent about two months preparing for the competition, including memorising the script and producing her entry video.
Media Inspirasi Nusantara (MIN) publishing manager Zalila Isa said the carnival differed from conventional commercial book fairs by placing greater emphasis on face-to-face interactions between publishers and readers, while also using online platforms such as TikTok and Shopee to meet readers' needs.
-- BERNAMA