KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

By : ELAINE MAH

KNOWLEDGE and a high level of competitiveness in various fields contribute to the development of the country, according to Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Azizah Mohd. Dun.

“In line with competition at the global level, we want the achievements of our students, especially those in Sabah, to be outstanding,” she said.

Azizah said this in a speech delivered by Assistant Minister of Community Development and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Herbert Lagadan at the launching of the “An Enduring Bond: Peace Corps 50th Anniversary Celebration in Malaysia” photo exhibition in Penampang on Tuesday.

To this end, Azizah told the gathering that the State Library plays an important role in providing complete library services to help students from both rural and urban areas.

 “My Ministry pays full attention to the provision of library services at the regional, divisions, towns and rural levels to ensure that no sections of society isneglected,” she said.

Two new libraries will be added,  one in Tanjung Aru and the other in Tambunan. There will also be replacement of ten rural library buildings as well as the procurement of 5 units of mobile libraries.

The libraries are well used. The one at Suria Sabah Shopping Complex has an average of 700 visitors daily and a membership of 12, 000 people. According to the library, on the average the number of books borrowed in a month is 17, 000. - Insight Sabah