The Malays: Their Problems and Future by Syed Husin Ali

Launched by Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
at Armada Hotel, Petaling Jaya, 14 June 2008

Excerpts from launching speech:

In his preface to the first edition (1978), Syed Husin Ali said “The Malay people are now at an important crossroad(s)”. And may I venture to add that the Malays are now at a defining moment of their history!

Syed Husin represents “the other”, and not the dominant political mode in Malaysia. His ideas were marginalized and remain subaltern to use Edward Said’s description. But he was adamant and persisted.

The book is not an academic treatise but written with a conscience and a passion.

The neofeudal syndrome has become a means of patronage and control. The Malays need a renewed surge of confidence to explode the myth of dependency, the insecurity and paralysis, dispensing inferiority complex perpetrated by the colonial masters and their surrogates.

We must disenthrall ourselves from this myth and fetters. The Malays and Bumiputras require opportunities and space so that genuine Malay talent and creativity can flourish. And finally it is about justice for all Malaysians.