Islam in Malaysia

Islam in Malaysia by Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (Matahari books, 2010) RM40.00

While still in his 30s, Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, former Mufti of Perlis, earned a reputation as a popular, and sometimes controversial, public intellectual on the subject of Islam in Malaysia.

This collection of his articles seeks to identify and celebrate the true Islamic essence of simplicity, rationality and justice; and to separate it from superstition, prejudice and taklid (blind adherence) to self- serving 'religious' leaders.

Told in a forthright style, but spiced with wit and contemporary allusions, it takes many examples from the Quran and Sunnah to show that it is up to Muslims to rescue their faith from being dominated merely by reactionary and conservative forces.

Among the subjects in this book:
* Are music and entertainment allowed in Islam?
* Why must long-distance bus drivers be discouraged from fasting?
* Are non-Muslims allowed to enter mosques?
* Did the Prophet Nuh pass to us a recipe for porridge?
* Why are some P. Ramlee lyrics more Islamic than contemporary nasyid songs?


New Malaysian books (there are too many to list all), here is a sample:

1. My  Mothers Garden  by Emila Yusuf (dRam pRojects, Book Haven) RM33.90
2. Buster makes a friend by Peter Worthington (Oyez Books) RM28.00
3.Elephabet  by Yusof Gajah  (Gajah) RM48.00
4. Mother and Child by Yusof Gajah (Gajah) RM48.00
5. The  Real Elephant by Yusof Gajah (Gajah) RM33.90
6.Payah by Margaret HL Lim (Fairy Bird) RM24.00
7. Overcoming Corruption by Betrand de Speville (RAFSA) RM30.00
8. Freedom Film Fest 2010 (DVD) RM15.00
9. The Malaysian Indian Dilemma by Janaky Raman, 2nd Edition. (Revised prices) . HB39.90, PB29.90
10. Borneo Tom by  Tom McLaughlin (Borneo Tom) RM 50.00
11.Nyaman Sipudding Roti by Cikha Sidinaali (Sang Freud Press)
12. Second Coming by E Manu Eel (CD) RM25.00

WORKING by Rogue Art

WORKING published by Rogue Art (RM 250.00)

(Spiral bound, with slip case)

WORKING is a book about the different ways in which artists create. This book focuses on the process of making art through a series of photographs and interviews with 10 leading Malaysian contemporary artists about their creative processes and their relationship with their working environments.

The 10 artists are:
Ahmad Fuad Osman
Ahmad Shukri Mohamed
Ahmad Zakii Anwar
Chong Siew Ying
Hamir Soib
Jalaini Abu Hassan
Kow Leong Kiang
Raja Shahriman Raja Aziddin
Ramlan Abdullah
Yee I-Lann

with photography by Tara Sosrowardoyo


Other new Malaysian titles:

1) Between UMNO and a Hard Place by Ooi Kee Beng (RM 25.00)
2) Orang Macam Kita edited by Azwan Ismail & Diana Dirani (RM 20.00)
3) Nota-Nota Gila by Mohd Jayzuan (RM 15.00)
4) The Road to Reform: Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor edited by Tricia Yeoh (RM 40.00)
5) Islam in Malaysia: Perceptions & Facts by Mohd asri Zainul Abidin (RM 40.00)
6) Liberalisme: Pengenalan ringkas dalam lakaran & gambar edited by Al-Mustaqeem M Radhi & Sri Murniati (RM15)
7) Malaysia-Lah: Himpunan Analisa Terpilih Kaki Lepak edited by Haris Zuan (RM 22.00)
8) The Education of Ethnic Minorities: The Case of the Malaysian Chinese by Tan Yao Sua and R. Santhiram (RM 25.00)
9) The Man from Borneo: An Autobiography by Brother Michael Jacques (RM 50.00)
10) Cartoon-O-Phobia by Zunar (RM 25.00)
11) Walk Along the Tracks by L.A. Vincent (RM 46.90)
12) YogInspired by Karen Kow (Paperback -  RM 49.90, Hardback – RM 79.90)
13) Malaysia's Foreign Policy: The First Fifty Years by Johan Saravanamuttu (RM 69.00)
14) Nostalgia Bonda: Reminiscing Mum's Love by Kamariah Jamaludin (RM 49.90)

Silverfish Pulp Fiction

21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders 
Author: 
Rozlan Mohd Noor

21 Immortals: Inspector Mislan and the Yee Sang Murders is an explosive debut from the quietly talented Rozlan Mohd Noor, an ex-police officer, which explains why he knows so much about police work and inside stories. This is a true Malaysian high-tech crime thriller with good cops, bad cops (and badder cops) and triad members, with insights into the workings of the local CSI, and forays into the world of hackers and their viruses, sleeper programs, trojans, ulat, spybots, hound dogs and their link to crime, including murder.

"Look, I don't care what happened in ninety-five. I have a murder to solve. Right now, you and Fatty Mah have motives. Maybe you and Fatty didn't do it. Maybe the two of you did, or contracted it out. Either way, I'm going to find out," the inspector says firmly, having reached the limit of his patience, annoyed with Four Finger's attitude.

"You have a hearing problem, meh? I told you it's not our style. We don't do families and children," Four Finger Loo replies, equally irritated.

"As you said, that was how it used to be, but not anymore. Maybe, you used non-triad methods to throw us off the track. How's that for a theory? To me, payback is a damn good motive to kill," Mislan replies, watching the retired Tiger General's face closely for giveaways signs.

Other new Malaysian books on the shelf:
1. Sultan pun Blog by Muzaffar 'SM' Mustapa
2. A Year in the Life of a Country by Leslie Lau.

Poetry by Cecil Rajendra

Parables, Prophets & Pillocks by Cecil Rajendra

This is Cecil Rajendra’s 20th collection of poetry and marks over 40 years of creative writing.

There are not many poets who can attempt subjects like this, and succeed as often - and as brilliantly - as Cercil Rajendra does. When we find such poets we should cherish them.
- Burton Raffel
Distinguished Professor of English, University of Louisiana, USA

That rare combination of 'dreaming poet' and 'man of Action' whose poetry has the capacity to reach the parts that reason, argument and even television programmes fail to touch.
- Alec Gilmore
University of Sussex, UK

Magic!
- Brendan Keneally
Prof of Modern Literature , Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

Malay movies

120 Malay Movies by Author by Amir Muhammad -- Matahari Books -- RM 60.00 (HB)

120 Malay Movies is a romp through the films that were made in Singapore and then in Kuala Lumpur from 1948 to 1972. (120 represents about a third of all Malay-language films during that period, and this book features most of the famous titles as well as some overlooked gems.) Malaysian writer and filmmaker Amir Muhammad watched them in chronological order and responds to the stories in his own contemporary context. How was the world depicted in those films different from the one we live in today? This book is a serio-comic interrogation into how the iconic fantasies of the past might have unexpected reverberations in the present.

This  edition will not be sold at the major chains. It will be available only  through indendents or  through direct purchace.

Other new Malaysian books/DVDs

1. Menuju PAS Baru -- Mujahid Yusuf -- RM20.00 (PB)
2. Sweeping Dirt Under the Carpet -- Komas -- RM20.00 (PB)
3. Parables, Prophets and Pillocks -- Cecil Rajendra - RM45.00 (HB)
4. Selepas Tsunami -- Anna Har -- RM10.00 (DVD)
5. Freedom Film Fest 2009 -- Komas -- RM20.00 (DVD)

Jolly Hangman

Once a Jolly Hangman (Singapore Justice in the Dock) Author: Alan Shadrake. Price RM38.00

(This is not about Malaysia, but the books having a spot of trouble in Singapore now.)

Over the past few decades, investigative journalism has come to mean the kind of brave reporting that exposes injustice, wrongdoing and, above all, the abuse of power. Alan Shadrake’s hard-hitting new book cuts through the façade of official silence to reveal disturbing truths about Singapore’s use of the death penalty. From in-depth interviews with Darshan Singh, Singapore’s chief executioner for nearly fifty years, to meticulously researched accounts of numerous high profile cases, Once a Jolly Hangman reveals the cruelty and imprudence of an entire judicial system. At the same time he displays a touching empathy with the anguish of the victims and their families. This important book should be required reading for human rights activists everywhere.

‘Alan Shadrake’s book, Once a Jolly Hangman, is a timely contribution to growing criticism of Singapore’s shameful use of the death penalty’ -- Margaret John, Amnesty International Canada.

Alan Shadrake is a renowned veteran investigative journalist and author whose 50-year career has taken him around the world. His first major book The Yellow Pimpernels told the escape stories across the Berlin Wall and was the subject of a BBC documentary. Subsequent publications have delved into a variety of subjects including an expose of life in a Soviet gulag, the story of the boy poisoner Graham Young and, with Linda Lee, The Life and Tragic Death of Bruce Lee. His appetite for unearthing the facts and presenting unpalatable truths remains undiminished. He divides his time between Britain and Malaysia.

Other new Malaysian books on the shelf

1. Karpal Singh: true Malaysian
2. Lim Lian Geok: Soul of the Malaysian Chinese

More children's book

The Miserable Moon
Author:  Wong Ching Hsia,  Illustrated by Tan Vay Fern

Mr Moon is miserable because he has no one to play with when everyone goes to sleep at night. Read more to find out how Mr Moon overcame his loneliness with a little help from some friends! Parents will love this book for its colourful illustrations and nibblets of ‘Fun Facts'. A perfect little gift for children who like to learn new things!

Other books in the series:
1. The Zany Zebra
2. The Ugly Green Umbrella
3. The Terribly Tall Triangle
4. The Xenophobic Xylophone

Rock n Roll Journal.

28 Hari: Jurnal Rock N Roll by Mohd Jayzuan

Tahun lepas, 23 Jun 2009, saya memulakan kembara selama 28 hari menggelilingi Semenanjung Malaysia. Tak berduit, jiwa kalut dan otak berserabut.
Tahun ini, 23 Jun 2010, saya ada buku bertajuk '28 Hari: Jurnal Rock n' Roll' yang mengisahkan tentang kembara tersebut. Alhamdulillah, berduit, jiwa tak bergelora dan otak tenang.

What others say:

Satu garapan segar dari angkatan bakat muda masakini -- Tembakau (cartoonist)

Absorbs all his knowledge like a sponge and indirectly squeezes our all his wisdom for us to read. This is genuine writing, a soul speaks out for a soul -- Natasha Hudson (Actress and model).

Jay mesti terus menulis, sehinggalah gagal sebagai penulis! -- Rahmat Haron (poet)


Other new books on the shelf:
1. Days of Change -- Cheah Guat Eng (Hologram)
2. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation ... -- Various (Lestari)
3.Water for Life ... -- Various (Lestari)
4. Towards a Malaysian System of Managing Chemicals -- Various (Lestari)
5. The life in Writing: Syed Hussain Alatas -- Mastura Alatas (Marshall Cavendish)
6. Deep in the Jungle -- Liu Jun (Liu Jun Studio)
7. Geological Heritage of Malaysia -- Various (Lestari)