'Riwayat' duo tells the Malaysian tale with new 'old' bookstore
MALAYSIANSKINI | It is a tale as old as time, true as it can be. Unlike the fictional scene set in a palace that houses a grand library, the independent book store Riwayat - a Malay word for story or fable - is a cosy brick-and-mortar establishment located in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
Located within a pre-war building along the bustling Jalan Tun HS Lee, the bookstore’s entrance has a chalkboard sign showing its opening hours and a message, “Welcome book lovers, You are among friends”.
Riwayat itself was founded as a passion project by two friends - Muhammad Nazreen and Engku Roestam Alias - two familiar names within the local book industry through their respective establishments, Bukuku Press and Kedai Buku Titiwangsa.
Stepping inside the square space, first-time visitors will discover that the titles on display are unlike any major chain bookstores.
Its main glass display case marked “Rare Prints & Documents” housed various original...
MALAYSIANSKINI | It is a tale as old as time, true as it can be. Unlike the fictional scene set in a palace that houses a grand library, the independent book store Riwayat - a Malay word for story or fable - is a cosy brick-and-mortar establishment located in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown.
Located within a pre-war building along the bustling Jalan Tun HS Lee, the bookstore’s entrance has a chalkboard sign showing its opening hours and a message, “Welcome book lovers, You are among friends”.
Riwayat itself was founded as a passion project by two friends - Muhammad Nazreen and Engku Roestam Alias - two familiar names within the local book industry through their respective establishments, Bukuku Press and Kedai Buku Titiwangsa.
Stepping inside the square space, first-time visitors will discover that the titles on display are unlike any major chain bookstores.
Its main glass display case marked “Rare Prints & Documents” housed various original manuscripts, including one dating back to 1901 during the British colonial era.
Meanwhile, browsing the shelves will reveal mostly new or used historical and non-fiction titles, including copies translated into Malay from the original English and Arabic authors.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, Nazreen and Roestam shared their experiences going against the trend of closing physical stores to move online, bringing together their expertise and existing customer base.
“This is how the idea to open Riwayat came about.
“Riwayat is different because it brings together two individual booksellers, each with our own market.
“This is what differentiates us from most other bookstores where the owner is usually one entity with a single focus,” said the 32-year-old Nazreen.
While Bukuku Press is known as a source for rare and out-of-print titles, Kedai Buku Titiwangsa offers a more up-to-date list of local fiction and non-fiction, with a common thread on topics surrounding history, socio-culture, literature, and politics.
“One of the earliest things we discussed was how with our two different focuses, we can actually benefit from each other,” said Nazreen in a conversation over coffee from an adjacent cafe that also doubles as an event space.
Their early discussions also deliberated on various name options before finally choosing Riwayat, said Roestam, 44, the older and more reserved of the duo.
“We thought of taking inspiration from the West, where family names are often used, but that wouldn’t work for us. We also explored location-based names and catchy English terms.
“Riwayat came about when I’m reminded that we each have our own story. Riwayat means ‘fable’ or story, and so we agreed that the word has its own charm.
“Riwayat to us represents Malaysia, and we opted for a Malay-term,” said Roestam.
While opting for a Malay name, both Nazreen and Roestam said a part of Riwayat’s concept was inspired by their travels abroad, where, in countries with a more established reading habit and independent bookstores are easily found on the main street or hidden within smaller alleyways.
Part of the titles on sale is sourced from Europe, the UK and the US, both due to the English-language factor as well as options of antiquarian bookstores and auction houses.
The duo said Riwayat’s clientele comprises not only existing customers of Bukuku Press and Kedai Buku Titiwangsa, but also curious visitors passing through to the surrounding offices or attractions around Kuala Lumpur.
Nazreen said he firmly believes in the power of the “browsing experience” only available in a physical bookstore, balancing the convenience made available through online shopping.
“We feel that an independent bookstore has its own life and identity. The experience is difficult to describe because each physical bookstore will have a particular meaning and memory to book lovers.
“We saw that one of the ways for us to expand our identity and branding is that we need a physical space so our customers can share the experience.
“It is a space where book collectors and book lovers can meet and exchange views,” he said.
A self-declared history buff, Nazreen said his drive to obtain rare texts closest to the primary source started while studying at a local university.
What started off as a personal project for Nazreen soon grew into an interest in assisting others looking to complete their own collection.
For each successful find, the 32-year-old said he would be further motivated to look for older books or documents, mostly on key events that shaped Malaysia’s history.
“To hold a document that maybe no one else has access to is an indescribable feeling.
“I believe when we understand history by owning historical documents, that will grow our love for the country,” he said
Roestam’s love for the written words, meanwhile, was partly inspired by the works of his own father, the late T Alias Taib, a literary icon known as “the people’s poet”.
From inheriting their family bookstore to continuing his father’s legacy, Roestam largely manages Riwayat’s daily operations these days, including engaging with old friends and new customers.
“We received very little negative feedback. The majority are supportive and encouraging.
“In fact, they want to contribute something to us. For instance, there are writers who said they want to hold their events here and readers who want to attend,” he said.
Open for business since July 1, Riwayat has since hosted a series of gatherings, including its first-ever “rare books festival” over the Merdeka weekend last month.
The event saw booksellers and collectors come together for a one-day session highlighting highly sought-after printed materials.
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