I RECENTLY returned to Ayer Tawar after nine years of studies abroad.

Among the old haunts that I revisited was the public library in Sitiawan. I was dismayed to find it in an advanced state of disrepair.

During my schooldays, I frequently took the Green Transport bus from Ayer Tawar to the Sitiawan public library.

My classmates and I spent a lot of our time there. We would even bring library books to school to discuss and exchange ideas.

The library was an important and invaluable resource for the Manjung schoolchildren of my generation.

Without it, we might not be where we are today and we are truly grateful to the state government.

I was disappointed to find that not only were half of my “old friends” gone and the rest in various stages of disintegration, but that no new books seem to have been added to the library in the past nine years though it had been renovated several times.

While passing through Kuala Lumpur, I noticed that just about any book one could desire was available at bookshops, but at an exorbitant price, higher than those charged in developed countries.

Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the district of Manjung has been targeted for development.

I urge the state government to think about development not only in terms of new buildings and highways, but also to ensure that everyone in the state has access to means of educating and bettering themselves.

In particular, I hope in the coming months to see an improvement in the state of the public library in Sitiawan and perhaps even new libraries in the rural areas of Manjung, where there is no reliable public transport service.

Finally, I believe that efforts on the part of the government will be appreciated, supported and even reciprocated by the public.

In this particular instance, I changed my mind about donating books to the library after seeing the way they are used and cared for there.

DR CHARIS QUAY HUEI LI, Ayer Tawar, Perak

Source: NST – January 14, 2008