“Not all books are of high quality or promote knowledge,” he said at the closing ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair at the World Trade Centre today.

Anwar announced that more than 400,000 teachers nationwide would receive book vouchers as part of the government’s efforts to encourage reading.

“We’ll see first (what we can do about book vouchers) next year because we’re currently contending with the US tariffs,” he said.

He said the government will continue to give book vouchers to university students after making some changes to the initiative’s implementation.

Anwar said the public still lacks a strong reading culture, despite the encouraging attendance of families and children at book fairs.

“Reading is not yet a culture in our country. This is discouraging, especially when we speak of this nation as one centred on a love for knowledge,” he said.

Anwar also lashed out at politicians who, lacking knowledge, spread anger and hatred through the use of religion.

“Reform is not won with shouts or influence. It must be built on a foundation of knowledge,” he said.