IML 105

Introduction to Book Industry

Chapter 2: History of Book

Publishing

1
 History
 Introduced by British and Dutch
colony.
 First Malay book published in
Amsterdam in 1603.
 Abdullah Kadir Munsyi is the Father
of Modern Publishing.

2
Publication development before
independence in Malaysia:
Types of books

in 17th century printing and publication of

Malay book controlled by Dutch.
1701 first Malay book titled “A Dictionary
English and Malayo, Malayo and English
written” by Thomas Bowrey published in
London.

3
Publication development before independence
in Malaysia

Missionary books such as Bible and Christianity is

developing fast in Malay Jang Ampat Evangelia derri
Tuan kita Jesu Christi

Gospel Matthius

1629 1677 1677 1854

Enckhuysen, Oxford,
Dutch England

Jang Testamentum Baharu Artinja Jang Testament Baru

Djandji Baharu dari Tuhan-ku Jesu
by Abdullah
Christi
Abdulkadir Munsyi
Translated by Albert Cornelius Ruyl 4
Publication development before
independence in Malaysia

in 17th century the centre of moved to South

East Asia.
the first printing in Asia is Betawi.
17th -18th printing development is quite slow
after 19th century and then printing are all
over in Malay Archipelago.
the development is pioneered by London
Missionary Society.

5
 Publication development before independence in
Malaysia:
*Expansion

 Introduced by the colonial the main centre of publication is in the straits.

 The end of 19th century and earliest 20th revolution of books in Malay.
 English education system was introduced to local the usage of Malay
literature increased.
 Book published by missionary and individuals start from scratch.

 There also a publisher involve such as Sungai Ujong Press in Kuala Pilah, Ipoh
Malay Press, Jamaliah Press in Muar, Jelutong Press in Pulau Pinang and etc

6
 Publication development before
independence in Malaysia: *Expansion
 Most important publisher is Pejabat Karang Mengarang
Melayu at Maktab Sultan Idris, Tanjung Malim. Print in
Singapore by Missionary Press Ltd, Kyle Palmer & Co. and
Malay Publishing House. Assigned to translated and
published reading materials for school.
 Most books are imported by Britain. After WWII, Oxford
University Press, Longman and Macmillan setup their
organization in Singapore.
 Local publisher is established such as Pustaka Antara and
Anthonian.
 Most influence publisher in Singapore is Donald Moore Group.
 Finally Dewan Bahasa is created in 1956.

7
Publication development before independence
in Malaysia
*List of publisher/letterpress before 1920:

1. Anglo-Chinese Press, Melaka

2. Bains Press, Selangor
3. Caxton Press, Selangor
4. Charles Grenier, Perak
5. Criterion Press, Pulau Pinang
6. Colonial Press Limited, Singapore/Perak
7. Commercial Press, Perak/Selangor
8. Criterion Press, Pulau Pinang
9. Freeman Press, Pulau Pinang

8
Publication development before independence in
Malaysia
*List of publisher/letterpress before 1920 (cont..)

10. Commercial Press, Perak

11. Haji Putih bin Sheikh Omar al-Khalidi, Pulau
Pinang
13. Johor Printing Office, Johor Bahru
14. Matbaah al-Attas, Kuala Kangsar, Perak
15. Matbaah Jambangan, Batu Gajah, Perak
16. PP Press, Taiping, Perak
17. S.P.S.K. Kadir Sahib, Pulau Pinang
18. Terengganu Press

9
Publication development before independence in
Malaysia
*Category of books:

1. Baba’s books: book related to peranakan Chinese e.g.

type of book is lullaby and humor.
2. Missionary publish by Singaporeans including the
translation of bible.
3. Bilingual: usually in English and Malay including
dictionary and manual book published by
Europeans.
4. School book for education institution
5. Islamic holy book .
6. General book is publish for commercial such as
poem, story tale

10
Introduction
Publishing industry in Malaysia
benefited from the nation’s economic
boom.
Reading habits:
◦ Very low
◦ How it effected the business of book
publishing

11
Types of Publishers

1. Religious materials publishers

 Pustaka Salam
 Hizbi
 Darul Nu’man
 Pustaka Fajar
 Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka
 Jabatan Kemajuan Islam (JAKIM), JPM
 Pustaka Aman
 GC Edar

12
Religious materials
publishers (cont..)

How to & Guide

Tafsir Hadith & Al Quran
Other areas of Interest

13
Religious materials publishers
(cont..)
Mostly translated from Arabic or English.

Books written by great scholars such as

Syed Qutb, Fathi Yakan, etc.

Itis suspected that the publishers did not

pay royalty to the original authors or
publishers.

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2. Professional materials publishers
For the professionals and related to
their profession.
In Malaysia, this type of publishing is
not done in great scale.
Only DBP, University Publishers and
the western-based companies such
as Fajar Bakti and Longman publish
this type of materials.
15
3. Academic materials publishers

Not profit oriented.

University publishers.
Research institutions.
Government think tanks such
as ISIS, IKIM, IKD, etc.

16
4. School materials publishers
Main publishers.
Textbooks and exam guidebooks.
Nearly 300 publishers is
registered with the Textbook
Bureau, Ministry of Education.
Publish also AV materials and
electronic materials.
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Barrier and Challenges

Several barriers hampering the

development of books in terms of their
availability, accessibility and affordability.
For example, difficulty to measure a
book’s potential market success, makes it
difficult for publishers to gain access to
working capital through financial
institutions.
Without access to these resources, it is
not easy for entrepreneurs to benefit from
potential gaps in the publishing market.
Other problems are:

◦ Absence of strong tradition of book

authorship, readership and ownership.
◦ Limited buying market for published material
is due to the absence of reading culture.
◦ Limited disposable income.
◦ Fragmented reading audience.
◦ Significant global demand for our published
book.
 Book Trade
Organizations

MAPIM MABOPA MBKM

 1. MAPIM
(Majlis Penerbitan Ilmiah Malaysia)
 Majlis Penerbitan Ilmiah Malaysia or MAPIM is a body that
involved in the development of knowledge publication. The
members consist of:
◦ publisher of public high education institutions
◦ Research center
◦ Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka

 Temporary Committee was established in July 11, 1996

consequences of the Technical DBP-IPT (5/96) Committee
Meeting that was held in DBP, Sarawak Branch.
 The MAPIM’s function is to develop, expand and organize the
Malaysian knowledge publication in various fields.
General Objectives
1. Attempt in increasing and improving knowledge publication in
Malaysia especially among the publisher of public high
education institutions, research center, and DBP.

2. Organize the cooperation and coordination of the knowledge

publication activities from time to time among them and
others publishers.

3. Building up the knowledge publication infrastructure that

focus on the aspects of policy, structure and organization,
editorial, production, marketing and training.

4. Existing the useful information networks for the purpose of

evaluate growth and in terms of specifically to avoid
redundancy and waste of energy, expertise, time and money.
Specific Objectives
 To organize gathering in terms of Committee Meeting from
time to time in order to discuss the importance and the
development of knowledge publication.
 To exist the cooperation in publication activities of book,
monograph and journal.
 To exist the collaboration in marketing and promotion
activities in book exhibition, publication as well as catalog
distribution.
 To plan, organize and coordinate workshops, seminar and
training courses in knowledge publication field.
 Activities
 Persidangan MAPIM, Universiti Malaya, 18-19 Ogos
2000
 Perasmian dan Penyampaian Anugerah MAPIM-Fuji
Xerox
 Penyampaian Anugerah kepada Penerbit  
 Mempromosikan Jurnal-Jurnal Ilmiah Malaysia:
Pengalaman Jurnal MLIS & Jurnal MJCS Dalam Talian
 Mesyuarat MAPIM
 Perasmian Pesta Buku Antarabangsa KL di PWTC

 Homework: Find the latest activities done by MAPIM

(2017 and onwards)
 2. MABOPA
• MBPA officially launch on 18th May, 1968.
• The Association was officially registered as Malaysia
Book Publishers Association by the Registrar of
Societies on 14th January, 1969 to represent
legitimate publishers’ interest.
• The number of members was 16. Most of the
members are active and publish a wide range of
products including textbooks, revision course books,
workbook, encyclopedias, and reader.
 MABOPA (cont..)

• MBPA provide the leadership and the platform to

discuss problems with the members. 1980 the
membership of MBPA has increased from the mere
16 to 88.
Aims and Objectives:

To encourage the widest possible spread of printed

books.
To foster the development of the publishing trade in
Malaysia.
To foster national consciousness through the
publishing industry.
To encourage Malaysian authorship.
To encourage the improvement of the technical and
professional qualifications of members of the
Association.

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Cont…

• To promote and protect by all lawful means the

publishing industry
• To examine all legislative proposals likely to affect
Publishers and the Book Trade, and to take such
measures in support thereof, in opposition thereto, or to
secure amendments thereto, as may be expedient.
• To study and resolve all problems related to publishing.
• To encourage fair trade practices and maintain high
standards of workmanship and service in the business.

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Cont…

• To co-operate with other associations representing

allied businesses and with organizations of an
educational or cultural nature to inculcate good
reading habits.
• To purchase, take on lease, rent, acquire and own
property for use of the Association in line with its
objects.

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Activities:

China-Malaysia Copyright Business

Matching Conference on 5 November 2019
at Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur.
Festival Sastera Kanak-Kanak on 4
October 2019 at NLM.
Sesi Perbincangan Isu Cetak Rompak dan
Pelanggaran Hakcipta on 3 July 2019 at
MABOPA Office.
Baca World 2018 on 27 April 2018 at
PWTC.
Publishers Workshop, Conquering the Challenges
– Successful Piblishing Today on 5 September
2016 at DBP.
Pocket Talk: A Publisher’s Ips- What, When and
How to Register on 21 September 2015 at Kuala
Lumpur.
Seminar Hak Cipta Pemangkin Industri on 31
October 2013 at MABOPA Office.
Sesi Dialog Industri Buku bersama Exco MABOPA
dan Perbadanan Kota Buku on 24 October 2013
at Karangkraf.
Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2007,
PWTC.
Book Fair:
Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair on 30
March 2019 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2018 on
28 April 2018 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2015 on
25 April 2015 at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur.
Islamic Book Fair on 1 March 2014 at Jakarta.
Frankfurt Book Fair on 9 October 2013 at
Germany.

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MABOPA Roles

1. Organization continuously addressed

various issues including:
◦ Textbook Publishing System
◦ Fair Trade Practices
◦ Copyright
◦ Pricing & Discount Structures
2. As the bridge between the
government and publishing company in
private sector
3. MABOPA working together with the
Book Development Council to organize
◦ Pesta Buku Malaysia from as early as
1982. 
◦ In 1991, 10 book fairs were organized
including the First International Book fair on
22 January, 1990.
◦ Book Trade Convention in e.g 1983 in
Genting Highlands. 
◦ It was not only a time to socialize but to
discuss common problems faced by the
Booksellers, Book Importers and officials of
MBDC
4. The Association also saw the needs to
organize seminars for the benefits of its
members: 
◦ Sales of Rights and Copyrights (15 to 18 June 1987).
◦ The development and management of book publishing
(14 to 18 Jan. 1991).
◦ Seminar on Copyright and the Berne Convention. ( 1st
Oct. 1991).
5. MABOPA took the initiatives and together with
the other S.E. Asian Publishers Associations
formed the Association Of South East Asian
Publishers in 1970. (Indonesia – (IKAPI),
Singapore –(SBPA) as well as Thailand and the
Philippines )
6. MABOPA took up membership with the
International Publishers Association (IPA)
headquartered in Geneva.
7. MABOPA sent delegates to
international conventions to discuss
various development and way of
handling publishing problems
8. MABOPA encourage members to
attend international book affairs to:
◦ watch the developments in other part of the
world
◦ buy foreign rights to publish locally
◦ showcase our publications
3. MBKM
◦ It is a National Book Council of Malaysia.
◦ The National Book Development was established
in 1986 by the minister of education on the
recommendations of UNESCO.
◦ On 4th November, 1981 the council was
reactivated and the Minister of education (MOE)
officiated the appointment of new members of the
Council.
◦ The Council is professional and advisory body in
book development
Objectives:
◦ To advise the Minister of Education on
matters concerning book development.
◦ To promote and encourage reading habits
among Malaysians.
◦ To facilitate negotiations among parties that
are involved in production and
consumptions of books.
◦ To cooperate with the relevant authorities in
improving public library facilities.
◦ To advise the Minister of Education on
matters relating to reading materials in the
Malay language within the context of region.
Activities
◦ Conducted a course on Publishing Management
for senior book personnel in Penang on 2-6
August 1982,with financial grants of US$
17,000/-from UNESCO
◦ Organized a Malaysian Book Trade Mission of
19 people to Tokyo and Soul (17-26 May 1984)
◦ Started organize the annual “Malaysia Book
Festival in 1982”
◦ Conducted an annual National Book Awards
since 1982.
◦ To compile and produce a national catalogue
of Malaysian books in print.
◦ To implement the National Reading
Programme through reading Promotion
Campaign in order to create reading society
in accordance with the aspiration of the
government.
◦ To carry out the study of Malaysian
Readership profile to obtain the true picture
of the reading habits and reading interest
among Malaysians so that appropriate and
effective action can be taken.
 4. IKATAN
◦ It is Ikatan Penerbit Buku Bumiputera Nasional/
Malay Publishers Association.
◦ Established in early 1990.
◦ Society made up of ‘Bumiputera’ publishers.
◦ Main purpose is to voice out the demands of
‘Bumiputera’ publishers in a non-Bumi monopolized
industry.
◦ In-line with the Government’s ‘Dasar Ekonomi
Baru’ (New Economic Policy) to professionalize the
publishing industry.
◦ The Konsortium was developed
by members of the society to
enhance distribution n marketing
purpose.(Konsortium
Pengedaran Buku Ikatan
Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.)
◦ The Konsortium act as the
society's distribution arm.
◦ About 45 companies under
IKATAN.
Objectives:
1. To explore and create an efficient system in
publishing and distributing through sharing of
expertise and experience in the industry.
2. To overcome problems faced by distributors.
3. To create new standards in distribution.
4. To be involved in global distribution such as
e-commerce and outside market
5. To bring together “Bumiputera” distributors
and publishers under one organization.
6. To help and protect members through any
economics, social, and legal issues.
Activities

1. Major distributor for local book publishing

especially for IKATAN members
2. Provide consultation to writers and agencies
involved in distribution.
3. As a main organization which provides local
and imported publications.
4. Conduct distribution and selling books though
on-line
5. Organize programs such as book fairs and
book launchings.
6. Organizing annual book fairs. (Pesta
Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur)
7. Promoting Malay language books in the
urban and rural areas.
8. Distribute local publications to
neighboring countries (Indonesia,
Singapore).
9. In collaboration with the Government and
DBP, developed an ‘umbrella’ system to
provide government contracts to
‘Bumiputera’ companies registered under
IKATAN.
THANK YOU 

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