Description
Dr Mahathir, born on 20 December 1925 in Alor Star, Kedah, became involved in the Anti-Malayan Union Campaign in 1945-46 whilst still at school. Under the pseudonym of C.H.E. Det, he was a frequent contributor to the Sunday Times between 1946 and 1950, writing articles concerning the Malays and politics.
An early member of UMNO, he did not come into the public eye until his election to Parliament in 1964. Following disagreements with the party, he was expelled from UMNO in 1969.
Dr Mahathir was readmitted to UMNO in 1972. Before being appointed to the Cabinet in 1974, he proved his administrative capacity as chairman of Food Industries of Malaysia (FIMA). In March 1976, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister by Datuk Hussein Onn. When the latter resigned in 1981. Dr Mahathir became Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister.
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 book.
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 often been difficult to know just what a Malay thinks. As Dr Mahathir 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.
