Local authors reign supreme in Malaysia’s booming book industry
As English-language literature gains foothold in Malaysia, books in Bahasa Malaysia remain first choice of most readers
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – Malaysians appear to have a growing appreciation for English-language literature although Bahasa Malaysia (BM) titles are still the clear winner, reports Malay Mail.
According to a local bookstore, BM titles accounted for 36% of their sales in 2024, while English-language books made up the remaining 64%.
However, Malaysian writer Amir Muhammad believes this figure might not reflect the entire market. “Anyone who has visited the KL International Book Fair (KLIBF), which attracts over a million visitors annually, would see how significant the local BM market is,” he said.
Bookiut under the PTS Media Group reported that BM titles made up around 90% of their sales in just four days at the 2025 KLIBF, with English-language books accounting for only 10 to 20%.
Similarly, Iman Publication reported that about 85% of their sales were BM books, particularly in popular genres like comics and self-help.
Fatin Syamimy, CEO of Iman Publication, said that bookstore sales only offer part of the picture.
“In recent years, especially with online shopping, platforms like Shopee have become a popular avenue for publishers to sell their books,” she said. “From what I know, at least nine or ten publishers focusing on BM titles are now actively selling through these platforms.”
Fatin also pointed out that BM authors outnumber English-language writers in Malaysia. “At Iman Publication, we publish in both BM and English, but it’s relatively harder to find local authors writing in English compared to Malay,” she said.
Amir agreed, adding that BM authors tend to enjoy larger audiences. “For example, which Malaysian English-language author has over 100,000 followers on any platform? I can name at least a dozen BM writers who do,” he said.
The BM publishing scene is thriving, driven largely by social media platforms like TikTok. “The younger generation – Gen Z – is engaging with BM books through TikTok, where some titles have sold over 10,000 copies just via the platform,” Fatin said.
Amir pointed out that BM books continue to dominate where it matters most – sales. “For example, no local English title can sell 100,000 copies in 25 minutes,” he said.
Fatin said, “BM non-fiction remains focused on topics like Islam, business, and local politics, while non-fiction in English often covers broader subjects.”
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