ASEAN Records is proud to officially recognise Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur – Sistem Tempahan Automasi Reruai (PBAKL-STAR), managed by Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia (MBKM) under the Ministry of Education Malaysia together with the Malaysian Book Industry Chamber (MBIC), for achieving the milestone:
First Government-Initiated Real-Time Interactive & Automated Booth Reservation Portal for an International Book Fair (426 exhibitors onboarded since 2025; 1,812 booths digitally tendered across two editions since December 2024)
This recognition highlights a significant advancement in digital event management and public sector innovation, demonstrating how technology can enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility within large-scale international exhibitions. Developed and managed through the PBAKL-STAR initiative, the platform has transformed how exhibitors participate in Malaysia’s premier international book fair through a streamlined and fully digital booth reservation process.
Transforming International Book Fair Management Through Digital Innovation
As the organiser of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur – PBAKL), Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia (MBKM) introduced a real-time interactive and automated booth reservation portal designed to modernise the exhibitor registration and booth allocation process.
Traditionally, booth applications and allocations for large-scale exhibitions often involved manual coordination, extensive paperwork, and lengthy processing periods. The introduction of the digital portal has streamlined these processes through an integrated online system that enables exhibitors to view available spaces, submit applications, and participate in booth selection and allocation more efficiently.
The platform has successfully onboarded 426 exhibitors and digitally tendered 1,812 booths across two editions of PBAKL since December 2024, representing a major milestone in the digital transformation of exhibition management.
Supporting Malaysia’s Largest International Book Fair
The digital reservation system plays an important role in supporting the continued growth of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, one of the region’s most prominent literary and publishing events.
PBAKL serves as a platform that brings together publishers, authors, booksellers, educators, readers, and industry stakeholders from Malaysia and abroad. The event celebrates reading, knowledge sharing, lifelong learning, and the development of a vibrant literary ecosystem.
Through a diverse range of book exhibitions, educational programmes, workshops, forums, book launches, storytelling sessions, cultural performances, and interactive experiences, PBAKL continues to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a regional hub for publishing and literacy development.
Enhancing Transparency and Accessibility for Exhibitors
The implementation of a real-time automated reservation portal has helped create a more transparent and efficient exhibitor experience.
By digitising booth applications and allocations, exhibitors are able to access information more easily while benefiting from improved visibility, reduced administrative complexity, and faster communication throughout the booking process.
The initiative reflects MBKM’s commitment to embracing digital solutions that improve stakeholder engagement while supporting the evolving needs of the publishing and exhibition industries.
A Milestone Moment of Recognition
A Milestone Moment of Recognition
The ASEAN Records certificate was officially presented on 7 June 2026 during Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (PBAKL) 2026 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL).
The recognition was certified and received by Tuan Haji Mohd Khair Ngadiron, Chairman of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair Organizing Committee, and witnessed by YB Wong Kah Woh, Deputy Minister of Education, and Datuk Wan Hashim Wan Rahim, Secretary-General (Ketua Setiausaha) of the Ministry of Education Malaysia, in acknowledgement of the initiative’s contribution to digital innovation and operational excellence within the international publishing and book fair industry.
Voices of Leadership
Reflecting on the achievement during PBAKL 2026, YB Wong Kah Woh, Deputy Minister of Education, shared:
“The success of Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur 2026 demonstrates the positive impact of continuous government investment, strong industry commitment, and the unwavering support of Malaysians towards the national agenda of cultivating a knowledge-based society.
This year’s book fair welcomed more than 2.4 million visitors, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for reading, learning, and knowledge sharing among Malaysians. At the same time, initiatives such as the Malaysia Book Voucher Programme continue to show strong impact in encouraging reading habits while supporting the local publishing ecosystem.
We are also encouraged to see Malaysian publications gaining greater international recognition and reaching new markets abroad. These achievements strengthen Malaysia’s position as a regional centre for publishing, literacy development, and knowledge exchange.
The adoption of digital innovations, including the automated booth reservation portal introduced by Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia, reflects how technology can enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility while supporting the continued growth of the publishing industry.”
Driving the Future of Digital Event Management
As exhibitions and large-scale events continue to evolve, digital solutions are becoming increasingly important in ensuring operational efficiency and stakeholder engagement.
The successful implementation of an automated, real-time booth reservation platform demonstrates how government-led innovation can modernise traditional event management processes while delivering tangible benefits to exhibitors and organisers alike.
This achievement reinforces Malaysia’s position as a leader in digital transformation within the publishing and exhibition sectors and establishes a new benchmark for international book fair management across the ASEAN region.
About Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia (MBKM)
The Majlis Buku Kebangsaan Malaysia (MBKM), or National Book Council of Malaysia, is a professional advisory body established in 1968 under the Ministry of Education Malaysia.
Formed following a UNESCO recommendation, MBKM acts as the primary agency driving the country’s book industry and reading culture based on the Dasar Buku Negara (National Book Policy). The council consists of government officials, industry associations, NGOs, and individual experts who work together to improve literacy and boost domestic publishing growth.
As the main secretariat and organiser, MBKM plays a central role in managing the strategic direction, logistics, and international positioning of the Pesta Buku Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (PBAKL).
The council collaborates closely with key industry stakeholders, including local publishing associations and government bodies, to provide a massive and accessible platform that connects hundreds of exhibitors with millions of book lovers annually. Beyond managing booth spaces, MBKM elevates the fair’s regional impact by running international programmes, transforming PBAKL from a standard retail market into a premier hub for international copyright trading and literary networking for both local and international publishers.
