In an exclusive interview with NiagaTimes, Puan Adibah Omar, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Perbadanan Kota Buku, shares her inspiring journey from an educator to a visionary leader in Malaysia’s literary landscape. With a steadfast commitment to fostering a reading culture and embracing digital innovation, she discusses the challenges and triumphs that have shaped her mission to make books accessible to all.
With 18 years of service in Malaysia’s Ministry of Education and a teaching journey that began with training in the United Kingdom, Adibah Omar has carved an exceptional path in the field of education. Her academic excellence and extensive experience led to her appointment as the CEO of Perbadanan Kota Buku, a key initiative under the Ministry of Education to elevate Malaysia’s book industry.
Established in 2011, Perbadanan Kota Buku is a government-owned entity aimed at creating a thriving hub for Malaysia’s book industry. Serving as a nexus for translators, publishers, writers, illustrators, and printers, the organisation provides an integrated platform to empower every stakeholder.
“This is the place where the publishers, the writers, the translators, the illustrators and the printers thrive” Adibah remarks, emphasising its collaborative essence.
Adibah has taken bold steps to propel Perbadanan Kota Buku into the digital age. In 2023, under her stewardship, Malaysia launched its first digital book city, inaugurated by the Prime Minister. This initiative aims to replicate the physical book city’s success in a digital realm, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all readers.
Her efforts have been further validated through programmes like the Baucar Buku Madani initiative, which witnessed full redemption by students across the nation, including those in rural areas. “Our vision is to create more demand for the industry and ensure every reader in the country has greater access to books,” she states, underlining her commitment to bridging gaps in literacy and education.
Adibah’s leadership has ensured Perbadanan Kota Buku stands out as the heart of Malaysia’s publishing ecosystem. Its role goes beyond being a mere facilitator; it is a catalyst for elevating the entire industry. “Our role is to ensure everyone gets equal access to success,” she asserts.
Despite challenges such as meeting ambitious targets, including achieving 100% book voucher redemption within six months, her team’s meticulous planning and determination overcame obstacles, delivering impressive result of a quarter billion revenue in financial year 2024.
Adibah’s leadership style is marked by a forward-thinking approach and a deep trust in her team. “We can never go far if we don’t have the vision,” she says. Rather than micromanaging, she empowers her staff to devise innovative solutions to challenges, fostering a culture of ownership and collaboration.
Her inspiration lies in making a tangible impact: “To be able to make people fall in love with books,” she says, driven by a desire to provide easy access to books for all, particularly students in rural areas.
Adibah envisions a bright future for Perbadanan Kota Buku, aspiring to position Malaysia as a leading book provider on the global stage. While she acknowledges the wealth of content available in the country, she stresses the need for hard work to bring it to international audiences.
To achieve this, her strategy includes promoting a reading culture domestically and developing innovative digital solutions. One ambitious plan is to create a platform that houses millions of titles, including an AI-based translation feature, and introduces technologies like digital braille to enhance accessibility for all readers.
In five years, Adibah hopes to transform Perbadanan Kota Buku into a global icon. Her dedication to fostering a love for books and her innovative strategies to bridge the physical and digital divide are shaping the future of Malaysia’s book industry.
Under her visionary leadership, Perbadanan Kota Buku is not just a hub for books—it is a gateway to knowledge, empowerment, and a brighter future for all Malaysians.
