The Malay Dilemma

Code: GT002/CLS

Title: The Malay Dilemma by Mahathir Bin Mohamad

Section: Normal

Description:

Not all historians will agree with Dr Mahathir’s interpretation of events, historic and recent, in Malaysia and Singapore. This is certain to be a controversial book, and assuredly the author will be called upon to defend many of his statements and claims, indeed even perhaps the accuracy of his historical and biological data. This is not an objective work.

Nevertheless, it is published because this is what an educated, modern progressive Malay thinks and believes. These are his reactions to the problems of the day, the pressing problems that beset Malaysia. This is how a politically-inclined Malay understands the past, explains the behaviour of his own people and the behaviour of immigrants, and foresees the future.

 In the past it has been difficult to know just what a Malay does think. As Dr Mahathor has explained, Malays tend to shield friends, and enemies, from embarrassment, and in consequence often conceal their true thoughts. Here, for the first time, a Malay has produced a book-length argument told with stark frankness. Dr Mahathir has examined and analysed the make-up of a Malay, his heredity, his way of life, his religion. He has revealed all. He believes this is necessary not only to encourage the Malay to know himself, but also so that the non-Malay can all the better understand the Malay’s reactions to the problems of the day.