Leaves of the Same Tree

Leaves of the Same Tree ( Trade and Ethnicity in the Straits of Melaka ) by Leonard Y. Andaya -- RM55.00

Despite the existence of about a thousand ethnolinguistic groups in Southeast Asia, very few historians of the region have engaged the complex issue of ethnicity. Leaves of the Same Tree illustrates how historians can use it both as an analytical tool and as a subject of analysis to add further depth to understanding of Southeast Asian pasts. The Straits of Melaka offers an ideal testing ground for understanding the process of ethnic formation, and the author examines ethnic groups along the straits to document the manner in which they responded to the vicissitudes of the international marketplace.

Earliest and most important were the Malayu (Malays), whose dominance in turn contributed to the "ethnicization" of other groups in the straits. By deliberately politicizing differences within their own ethnic community, the Malayu encouraged the emergence of new ethnic categories, such as the Minangkabau, the Acehnese, and, to a lesser extent, the Batak.

Leaves of the Same Tree demostrates how problematizing ethnicity can offer a more nuanced view of ethnic relations in a region that boasts one of the greatest diversities of language and culture in the world. Creative and challenging, the book uncovers many new questions that promise to revitalize and reorient the historiography of Southeast Asia.

Other new Malaysian titles

1. Muslims and Matriachs by Jeffrey Hadler -- RM48.00
2. The Singapore and Melaka Straits by Peter Borschberg -- RM65.00
3. Transforming Brickfields by Richard Baxstrom -- RM55.00
4. Chinese Business in the Making of the Malay State, 1882-1941 by Wu Xiao An -- RM48.00

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.