Booksellers are renewing their call for the government to prevent the National Book Council of Malaysia (MBKM), an entity under the Education Ministry, from venturing into the bookselling business.

The Malaysian Book Contractors Association, the Malaysian Booksellers Association and The Federation of Malaysian Stationery and Booksellers Association, in a joint statement, said the business venture deviates from the council's objectives and would also give it an unfair advantage due to its government links.