Floating library sails into Labuan
From today, the public will be able to step aboard to browse its impressive selection of books and enjoy a unique maritime experience.
The floating library will be open daily from 1pm to 9pm, except on Mondays when it will be closed for maintenance.
Labuan is one of the stops in the Doulos Hope's regional tour, aimed at promoting literacy and cultural exchange through affordable books and onboard community engagement.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for July 10, Bernama reported.
The vessel will remain in Labuan waters until July 27.
Operated by a charitable organisation, Doulos Hope is crewed by volunteers from around the world and offers thousands of books, covering a wide range of topics, including education, personal development, family and faith.
Visitors will be charged RM2 per entry.
Children aged 12 and below and senior citizens 65 and above will be given free admission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
No longer just safe, but thriving
Site visit: Saifuddin Nasution visiting a border control post on Mataking Island in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone. — Bernama KOTA KINABALU: Sabah, particularly the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone), remains a safe and secure destination for foreign tourists, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Once marred by past security incidents, he said the region is now seeing tourism flourish and local livelihoods improve, which is a clear result of sustained peace and targeted development. 'This year marks the second time the Home Ministry, in collaboration with the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), has brought diplomats and foreign representatives from the United States, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, China, South Korea and Spain for a series of one-day visits to key tourist locations within the ESSZone,' he said. 'Security is no longer the only story here. It is about transformation. What we see today is the direct outcome of peace: jobs, income and thriving tourism,' he said during a site visit to Semporna's islands with a delegation of diplomatic representatives and officials yesterday. Also present was Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai. Saifuddin Nasution said tourist arrivals to Sabah's east coast have more than quadrupled since 2022. Official figures show 64,470 tourist arrivals in 2022, which jumped to 313,128 in 2023 and reached 319,479 by the end of May 2024. 'These are not just tourists from anywhere. Many are from countries that previously issued travel advisories to their citizens regarding the east coast of Sabah. 'This surge in visitors is proof that the perception is changing, people are coming back, and in bigger numbers,' he added. He said that countries such as Japan are already reviewing their travel advisories here following previous diplomatic engagements, adding that progress is being made with others like the United States, Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. 'These advisories still hold weight and affect public perception. That is why we do not wait for second-hand assumptions, we invite foreign representatives to experience the situation for themselves.' He said that the region's turnaround is not accidental, but a result of coordinated efforts under the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) and the Federal Government's Madani Economic Framework. He added that face-to-face engagements with international stakeholders remain the ministry's preferred strategy in changing outdated perceptions. 'There is no substitute for direct experience. 'We want them to see, hear and understand what Sabah really is today,' he said. With positive changes taking root, Saifuddin Nasution said the ultimate goal is for countries to revise travel warnings that no longer reflect the current reality.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia to host World Tourism Day 2025 in Melaka, boosting tourism
MELAKA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi highlighted the significance of Malaysia hosting World Tourism Day 2025 in Melaka, calling it a visionary move to position the country as a leader in global tourism. The event, scheduled for September 2025, will coincide with the World Tourism Conference 2025, reinforcing Melaka's status as a key cultural and heritage destination. Ahmad Zahid emphasised that the occasion presents an opportunity to inspire the world, showcasing Malaysia's readiness to lead in values-driven and meaningful travel. 'Let World Tourism Day in Melaka be the moment we inspire the world, showing that Malaysia is ready to lead, ready to welcome, and ready to shape the future of tourism,' he said. The announcement was made during the pre-launch event in Banda Hilir, which also marked the 17th anniversary of Melaka's recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage City. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing delivered the speech on behalf of Ahmad Zahid. Melaka's tourism sector has already demonstrated strong performance, welcoming 15 million visitors in 2023 under the Visit Melaka Year 2024 campaign, generating RM12.68 billion in revenue. Ahmad Zahid stressed that Visit Malaysia 2026 will further elevate the industry, making tourism a key driver of sustainability and inclusivity. Strategic collaborations with international partners are already underway. Ahmad Zahid noted recent discussions in London with trade leaders and airline representatives to boost UK tourist arrivals from 390,000 to 500,000. Last year, UK travellers contributed over RM2.5 billion, with potential to exceed RM3.3 billion with targeted efforts. Malaysia's reputation as a Muslim-friendly destination remains strong, ranking fifth globally and consistently performing well in the Global Islamic Economy Indicator. Ahmad Zahid called for continued public-private partnerships to strengthen Malaysia's position as an innovative and future-ready tourism hub. - Bernama
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Barnama
Malaysia To Showcase Tourism Strengths At World Tourism Day
MELAKA, July 5 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that hosting the upcoming World Tourism Day 2025 in Malaysia is not just timely, but visionary, offering the country a global platform to showcase what truly sets it apart. He was referring to World Tourism Day 2025 and World Tourism Conference 2025, both scheduled to be held in Melaka in September. 'Let World Tourism Day in Melaka be the moment we inspire the world, showing that Malaysia is ready to lead, ready to welcome, and ready to shape the future of values-driven, meaningful travel,' he said, adding that last year alone, Melaka welcomed 15 million visitors, generating RM12.68 billion in tourism revenue - a significant milestone under the Visit Melaka Year 2024 campaign. He said this in his speech at the pre-launch of World Tourism Day 2025, World Tourism Conference 2025, and the 17th Anniversary of Melaka's recognition as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage City, in Banda Hilir, here, tonight. The text of his speech was read out by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. Ahmad Zahid also said that Visit Malaysia 2026 will set a national direction, where tourism is no longer a backdrop, but a bold driver of sustainability, inclusivity and future readiness. To succeed, he stressed that Malaysia must move strategically and collaboratively, strengthening public-private partnerships, fostering a more inclusive and resilient tourism recovery, and positioning the country as a welcoming, innovative, and future-ready hub. 'During my recent visit to London, I engaged directly with trade leaders, media and airline partners, focused on building momentum towards Visit Malaysia 2026. 'Together, we launched a movement to grow United Kingdom (UK) arrivals from 390,000 to 500,000. Last year alone, those travellers contributed over RM2.5 billion, and with the right push, I'm confident we can go beyond RM3.3 billion,' he said, adding that Malaysia is ranked as the world's fifth most Muslim-friendly destination, and has consistently remained among the top countries in the Global Islamic Economy Indicator for the past ten years.
