Why Indonesians are not big book readers; ‘Reading Ambassador’ Tantowi Yahya holds forth on the issue and blames poverty.
Reading Ambassador (Duta Baca Indonesia), television celebrity Tantowi Yahya said at the proclamation event in Pontianak for the “West Kalimantan Reads” movement that Indonesians were not voracious readers for largely reasons of poverty:
“Above all it’s based on economic factors, on whether families can afford to buy books and newspapers.”
Poor families would naturally prioritise food, school fees, and school textbooks, over the purchase of recreational reading material.
He suggested two methods to ameliorate the problem:
Tantowi Yahya extolling the virtues of reading
However on at least the first point – libraries – Tantowi said Indonesia still had very far to go in providing adequate public facilities, and that most regional government heads had little interest in developing library facilities:
How many local politicians campaign on building up library infrastructure?
There was one bright spot, he said, that being the province of Riau, where the Governor had built a very big and comprehensive public library right next door to his own office building: antara
The example of Riau has to be followed in other regions.
đ I think it has more to do with the habit in the family. I remember that during my childhood, every morning I would sit nicely, waiting for my grandma to read me the serial of âDoyokâ and âAli Oncomâ from Pos Kota daily paper. Totally unsuitable and irrelevant story for children (I just recently realized that she actually loved to read it for herself, but she couldnât read with low voice, so, âŚ). Anyway, it motivated me a lot to explore other reading materials.
Too bad that the price of books in Indonesia is relatively expensive. If only they can lower the tax a little bitâŚ.
I think many Indonesian are hard wired more into a verbal culture as opposed to reading culture.
Since time immemorial deep rooted superb oral tradition like wayang or lively pantun berkait have lived on and are far more popular pastime than reading literature or novel would.
Although with advent of internet virtual reading,writing and chatting are taking over especially among sophisticated urbanites.
Re. Indonesian reading habits, I would skip blaming on cultural and poverty. I would rather point out the easier access (and interesting) to read books compared to other mass media mediums such as television, DVD, blu-ray, internet, IPOD, IPhone or BB. Not to mention all those electronic games for children! I heard from a friend that it is easier to babysit her kids in front of television than reading them books. I wonder how many Indonesian mothers/babysitters who have similar experience as hers!
I am not sure what it is looked like now with book/ publishing industry in Indonesia. When I was a kid, it was easy to get translated English books (mainly published by Gramedia) with reasonable price. And there were many interesting children book authors like Djoko Lelono – who was at that time my favorite author beside of E. Blyton and A. Hitchcock. I remember that twice a month my father and I went to Gramedia bookstore or flea markets for books hunting. I also exchanged books with my school friends so I am pretty sure that there were Indonesians who love readings during their childhood. Unfortunately, there were no libraries provided for children. It is not necessary a fancy building, Indonesian government could provide mobile libraries service to villages or even cities. I wish we had that during my childhood, so then I could save up my pocket money to buy other thing other than books đ
Anyway, by the changing era, reading books as a hobby for me is lessening after internet booming and I could afford photography gears myself. Well, yeah, I still reading Indonesia Matters, Harry Potter and some other news website.. old habit is hard to break I guess đ
Ya, thatâs humorable đ
Agree with Indahs that internet booming as well as sinetron booming is somehow responsible for the decreasing interest in reading among Indonesian children. During my childhood, when TV stations were not as many as they are now and internet only appeared as a tool in sci fi movies, I had no option left then reading my collection of “Lima Sekawan” from Enid Blyton, Tintin, Bobo, (what a wonderful memories).
Anyway, I would suggest another approach to incite the interest in reading, reading revitalization so to speak. Since Indonesians love pictures more than words and love chatting more than reading long passages (proven by so much interest they show in social networking), presenting books in cartoon/comic format might have a better approach – and probably culturally appropriate? – for Indonesians. I currently collect some science books in cartoon format published by KPG (Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia) like âKartun Fisikaâ which is the translation from âThe Cartoon Guide to Physicsâ, âKartun Kimiaâ, etc. They present science theories in attractive comics with conversation bubbles and all. Seems childlike but maybe worth trying. They might as well try to make comics about history, politic, FPIâŚ
“Indonesia (or Java anyway) does have a significant textual tradition â thereâs whole archives full of babads out there, but these are not the same thing as books.”
Yea, this is pretty interesting point. Java had rich texts but I doubt it was accessible by common people. I remember when I was a child I wasn’t allowed to touch the “kitab kuning” that were locked in an old tall wooden cupboard. Only some respectable elders that allowed to open and read those books, so I assumed I had to be wrinkly and sneaky enough to steal the key. Once my dad taught me to read the “arab gundul” from one page of the kitab kuning, and it was fascinating. I don’t remember all the contents but I do know some daily habits and traditions were written there. All seemed make sense to me at that time, and I regret that I didn’t patient enough to sit and learn more. Now most of those kitabs are disappeared when one by one of the elders passed away. No one know where it go, and sometimes I saw some pages scattered outside, but as most “illiterate” people doing, I didn’t care enough to save it. And all that left in me are the memories of the smell of those old dusty pages, the beats in my heart every time I passed the forbidden room, and the hundreds-years white surban that was kept by the elders next to the books.
But aside from this, I think my generations had enough exposure to books. Lots of 30-35 yrs old people will be able to recall what books or magazines they read during their childhood and teenage era. Some people I know share the same memories of reading Mahabharata & Ramayana comics, si Kuncung, Anita Cemerlang, Hai, Bobo, kho ping hoo, deni’s comic, and enid’s books beside some books from the school library. While we were not able to afford buying magazines, we had rich friends that shared their magazines. Some had expensive glossy encyclopedia collections, but most of the time it just stacked in the glass cupboard with no indication someone ever read those. What a pity. So, yeah, clearly poverty is not always a significant factor why people in Indonesia don’t like reading that much.
^Agreed poverty is not the main reason why we donât have good reading habit; granted if we had money we prolly will spend it on a new Plasma, gym membership, keeping up with the Bakries or whatnot.
Many of us do not keep books by our bed or carry a book to read while waiting for antrian panjang or during long comfy becak riding so as to makes it easier to steal otherwise lost moments.
And yes Mbak Venna I too remember when I was growing up my only must read books was only buku silat series by Kho Ping Ho. I just could not wait for next episode and I would discuss the characters, plot twist and turn even with my late grandma -God blessed her soul -who love reading them too.
Too bad I did not advance to read quality books and even have lost the momentum since.
Reading habit is a skill that has to be continually nurtured/supported and youâll loose it if you donât use it.
Lol!! @ keeping up with Bakries. Yeah, I often found that kind of character. Have more than enough, and even have high quality books collection, yet they are more interested talking about shallow topics like fashion or jewelries.
Reading has to become a habit for most before they are 8 years old. It is one of the best ways to develop character, explore human experience and develop imagination. A great new book for Muslim’s is ‘Lines from the Holy Koran by a White American Muslim Sura’s 1-3’ a no holds barred book. Check it out. Saltedlightcom
Why read, when there are plenty of sinetrons on TV and does not require long attention span. 5 minutes sinetron, 10 minutes advertisement, its plenty.
yeah i really envy those cunnamulla intelellectuals sticking their noses in derrida! if only i can go past transmitting my thoughts by conking two empty coconut shells together!
but seriously @ET couldnt your “indonesian comprehension” problem have something to do with the poor clarity and fuzziness of your brain after too many watered down beers at top gun?
Copyright Indonesia Matters 2006-2023
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact
My Indonesian wife isn’t poor, and she rarely reads a newspaper, let alone a book.
Actually, the last book she seriously read was: How To Get Mr Bule. (It was published after we were married, if you’re wondering).
Even then, she only read it because I needed her help to understand some sections.