PETALING JAYA: Many believe that Malaysians in general do not enjoy reading for pleasure.
If you’re stuck in a train at rush hour, you would probably agree as most passengers are either glued to their smartphones, snoozing or listening to music. The odd student poring over his textbook for an upcoming exam does not count.
However, this did not deter Engku Roestam from co-founding Riwayat, an independent bookstore located in Chinatown.
“I don’t believe that Malaysians don’t read, because I’ve been selling books since 2019, and people do buy them,” he said, referring to his former bookstore, Kedai Buku Titiwangsa, which he closed so he could focus on Riwayat.
Together with his business partner, Muhammad Nazreen, who also comes from a bookselling background, they wanted to replicate the independent bookstore scene often found in Europe.
“I wanted the bookstore to be in a heritage area, as it would align with the soul and spirit of the store, given that about 60-70% of our books are focussed on all things Malaysian,” said the 44-year-old, adding that they held their soft launch on July 1 this year.
So, when he found an available pre-war building on Jalan Tun HS Lee, he didn’t think twice.
The charming little store with inviting glass doors carries fiction and non-fiction books in English and Malay and covers a range of genres – literature, culture, history, poetry, biographies and travelogues. There are also rare books and magazines.
“Researchers and scholars would also find something of interest in our store, especially on topics concerning Malaysia and South East Asia.”
And although some of the books are difficult to get hold of, he said that they have established connections with several overseas suppliers, and that customers looking for a particular title can approach him about it.
In addition, there’s also a section in the bookstore dedicated to German, Spanish and French translations of selected local books.
He said the bookstore’s name “Riwayat”, the Malay word for ‘narrative’, has special meaning. “It’s because we all have stories to tell, just like the books here, as well as the heritage area it’s located in; it just ticked all the boxes.”
The reception for the bookstore has been overwhelming so far, way beyond their expectation.
“We’re focussing on Malaysians from all walks of life, and that’s the crowd we’ve been getting. We’ve had students and older folks come by, and that has made us really happy,” he shared.
Some of the more memorable moments include the compliments the duo has received from customers. “They say that it’s the kind of bookstore they’ve been looking for; these things motivate us to keep going.”
But although things look promising at present, he is aware of the ups and downs of business and predicts a decrease in sales in the future.
Aside from financial challenges and being short on manpower, he said the job of restocking books could be daunting, especially since they don’t have a warehouse.
“We also need to cope with trends and maintain a social media presence,” he pointed out.
They hope to hold a small launch for the bookstore soon, and in the coming months, they plan to host book launches by local authors.
Even though practically any information can be gleaned from the internet in a split second, the bookstore owner stresses that not everything can be found online.
“Books can provide a certain depth of knowledge, and they’re always going to be relevant, especially since they’ve been around for thousands of years,” he said.
Ultimately, history shows that strong reading habits are crucial for the creation of a civilised society.
“That’s the purpose of this bookstore, to encourage Malaysians to read more, and to support local authors as well as the literary ecosystem.
So, the next time you’re in Chinatown, do give this charming little bookstore a visit. Once you’ve made your purchases, you can settle down to a good read over coffee at one of the many cafés in the area.
For more information on Riwayat bookstore, check out its website, Facebook and Instagram. Or purchase their books on Shopee.
Riwayat
34, Jalan Tun HS Lee
50000 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours:
10am- 5pm (Tuesday-Friday)
9am- 6pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Closed on Mondays.