From Majapahit to Putrajaya: Searching for Another Malaysia

by Farish A. Noor

Washington has fingered Malaysia as a 'Islamic terrorist hub' several times since 9/11. In this second collection of Farish A Noor's commentaries on unfolding developments in Malaysia (which) is nothing if not timely with the current raging debate on the 'clash of civilisations'. By focusing on specific issues and suddenly erupting controversies, of Malay/Muslim nationalism and (what he calls) the rise of Islamic 'religio-facism' in Malaysia and Indonesia, he tries to answer the question: how much of this is caused by Western 'meddling', and how much of it is actually home grown? This book is written in "white heat" of someone personally affected by the events, but at the same time Dr Farish A Noor manages to maintain an academic distance required by the scholar he is. A must read for anyone interested in the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and religio-fascism in the world today, especially in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Impassioned, controversial, courageous: Farish A Noor's writings on religious extremism and 'moral panic', social conformity and the 'New Generation Post-modern Malay' makes him an indispensable voice in Malaysia. - Clive Kessler, Emeritus Professor, School of Sociology and Anthropology, UNSW Sydney.

Genres: Nonfiction

333 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Dr. Farish Ahmad Noor (born 15 May 1967 in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia) is a Malaysian political scientist and historian and is presently a Senior Fellow at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. At the NTU he is part of the research cluster on the contemporary development of trans-national religio-political networks across South and Southeast Asia, where he is studying the phenomenon of Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist religio-political mobilisation in the public domain.

He was formerly attached to Zentrum Moderner Orient (Centre for Modern Oriental Studies) in Berlin, Germany, Sciences-Po Paris, the Institute for the Study of Muslim Society (ISIMM, Ecole des haute etudes et sciences sociale, EHESS), Paris and the International Institute for the Study of the Muslim World (ISIM), Leiden, Netherlands. Dr. Noor's teaching credits include the Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, University of Malaya, the Institute for Islamic Studies, Free University Berlin, Sunan Kalijaga Islamic University (Jogjakarta), Muhamadiyah University Surakarta and Nanyang Technological University presently.
At NTU/RSIS he teaches two courses: (1) History, Society and Politics of Malaysia and (2) Introduction to Discourse Analysis. The first is part of the RSIS area studies curricula (which also covers Indonesia) while the second is a foundational course in Philosophy of Language, Linguistics and Semiotics with a heavy emphasis on Critical Theory as developed by the Essex School of Discourse Analysis.

He received his BA in Philosophy & Literature from the University of Sussex in 1989, before studying for an MA in Philosophy at the same University in 1990, an MA in South-East Asian Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, before completing his PhD at the University of Essex in 1997 in the field of governance and politics.

Dr Noor also runs a research site www.othermalaysia.org along with Dr Yusseri Yusoff, which looks at the history of Malaysia from an alternative, deconstructive angle and which attempts to demonstrate the constructiveness and contingency behind historical development, particularly of nation-states from the pre-colonial to post-colonial era.

Over the past ten years he has also been researching the phenomenon of transnational and translocal religio-political movements, including missionary movements such as the Tablighi Jama'at and its networks from South to Southeast Asia; as well as the development of religio-politics in South and Southeast Asia, looking at the rise of Muslim, Christian and Hindu political-religious revivalism in particular.

His other interests include antiques and material history, and he has written about the plastic arts of Southeast Asia, focusing on things such as the Indonesian-Malaysian keris to the development of woodcarving and architecture.
Farish has also appeared in the semi-documentary film The Big Durian (film), directed by Amir Muhammad.

Reviews

[Izzat Isa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Membaca buku ini kita akan mudah menyatakan bahawa penulis merupakan seorang yang kritis. Saya paling menggemari tulisan beliau menghubungkait dengan karya-karya Melayu klasik dengan situasi negara hari ini. Paling menarik tulisan beliau terhadap Abdullah Munsyi. Disebabkan saya dibesarkan dengan latar belakang dan pensekitaran pendidikan agama konsenvatif, maka saya tidak bersetuju pandangan penulis tentang beberapa perkara, seperti Sisters in Islam dan lain-lain.

[Hadi Muss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sebuah pembacaan yang membuka minda. Pada saya Dr Farish sememangnya cendikiawan hip yang selalu mengutarakan hal-hal sejarah, politik, agama dan lanskap masyarakat dalam naratif dari sudut yang berbeza. Koleksi dalam buku ini ada beberapanya telah dimuatkan dalam buku yang berjudul lain atau dalam artikel dalam bahasa Inggeris beliau jadi terdapat pengulangan namun, ianya sebuah 'ulangkaji' yang menyeronokkan. Ada beberapa pandangan beliau yang saya kurang bersetuju namun, sebahagian besar lainnya amat wajar dibaca dan dibincangkan.

Barangkali buku ini juga dibaca tepat ketika perihal bangsa sedang hangat dibicarakan lagi dalam lanskap politik dan masyarakat ketika ini maka pembacaan menjadi lebih mengujakan. Kalau baru mahu cuba jaya membaca karya-karya Dr Farish, buku ini bagus sebagai pemula.

[Akmal A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jarang aku baca buku Farish Noor aku mengamuk, bakar buku atau siat muka surat bahagian yang aku tak setuju dengan pandangannya. Malah membaca buku Farish Noor lebih kepada membuka mata dan memberi satu kaca mata yang lain dalam melihat dan membaca sejarah. Walaupun ada kumpulan artikel dalam buku ini dah mencecah 19 tahun iaitu ditulis sejak pasca reformasi 98 pergolakan Mahathir-Anwar yang membelenggu politik Malaysia satu ketika dulu, tetapi artikel tersebut masih wajar dibaca kerana lanskap politik yang tandus dan tiada pernah berlaku satu ideologi kepada membina kepada negara-bangsa yang lebih adil saksama sepanjang 19 tahun ini. Jadi sangat disarankan untuk kawan-kawan baca buku ini dalam merefleksi semula apakah sebenarnya cita-cita Malaysia yang sepatutnya lebih inklusif, anti-feudal dan menjunjung keadilan sosial yang tinggi .

[Bharathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Farish Noor's essays of political analysis on Malaysia and her inherent dilemmas is very insightful. It also bears academic and historical explanations behind the nation's flux. Hardly a newspaper read .... it's a commendable work . I think Farish Noor lives abroad now?

[Cassandra Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming from a circle of peers that raved over Farish A. Noor's "What Your Teacher Didn't Tell You", I had high expectations for this book, a collection of articles written by Noor for Kakiseni.com and Malaysiakini between the years 2003 and 2005.**

Noor didn't disappoint.

His expositions on Malaysia's history (whether pre-colonial, colonial or, post colonial) were well researched and written in such a way that captivates readers (I hesitate to use the word "poetic" though at times, it certainly seemed that way!). Another reason I enjoyed reading up on Noor's historical findings was also because he cites a greater variety of sources as compared to Anthony Milner in his book "Kerajaan: Malay Political Culture on the Eve of Colonial Rule" (You can find my review of that book here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). Very frankly speaking, Milner's book pales in comparison to the articles on history found in Noor's book, despite how few those articles are.

Other articles found within this book consists of Noor's commentary on the increasing Islamization in Malaysia, the close-mindedness of the Malay community, commentary on ASEAN relations, the ethical struggles of a social science academic and, written eulogies. While I personally struggle to agree with some of Noor's values (i.e. his liberalism), I greatly appreciated the fact that his writings evidently display a great sense of humility, whether in his fiery criticisms of the status quo or in the written eulogy for his distant father or in the existential crises he faces as an academic, penned down for the benefit of his readers.

Noor also writes beautifully; his love for the subject matters he writes on is apparent. Even if you aren't interested in the topics he writes on, this book is worth picking up simply for its literary beauty. If every academic could write like Noor, reading papers wouldn't be a bore to many. Noor uses plain English though, occasionally, he uses terms only familiar to those with a political science background.

I would recommend this book to any Malaysian who enjoys reading quality opinion pieces and those interested in Malaysian history beyond the textbook.

Disclaimer: I read the English version of this book but Goodreads seems to only have the Malay version of it on its system.

**If you're wondering why I didn't read "What Your Teacher Didn't Tell You" first, it was because logistically, this was the easier book by Noor to loan. I only managed to get my hands on a loaned copy of "What Your Teacher Didn't Tell You" a few weeks after starting this book.

[Bibi Surya · Rating 4 out of 5]

To understand and acknowledge what we Malaysians have gone through before achieving independence, after and current political-religio affairs as dated around 2000s . As complex as it is, i really had a hard time finishing this book. Being a pluralist and reading through his dilemmas of a contemporary scholar, i found that not all of his views can be accepted in this newly changed government or even so within our own complex deeply rooted cultural mindset. However, to me this is a fast-track self understanding of what to be a malaysian taking into account of our history, politics, religion and cultural identity, especially as a Malay-muslim Malaysian and understanding some parts of relations in between our Asean counterparts, especially Indonesia.

[Ahmad Zhafri Md Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku yang bagus bagi pandangan saya untuk mencabar pandangan saya sebagai seorang Islamis yang terdidik dalam Asuhan konvensional. Buku ini tidak maksum dan ditulis oleh seorang yang tidak maksum seperti saya, tetapi ia banyak mencabar pemikiran saya untuk berfikir dalam luar daripada kebiasaan berpaksikan sejarah seawal Majapahit. Kepakaran Farish A Noor adalah sejarah , dan saya ini peminat sejarah. Dan penulisan beliau banyak memberikan kita gambaran tentang peranan sejarah lampau dalam pembinaan sebuah negara yang dinamakan Malaysia. Saya rasa Buku ini cukup bagus untuk dibaca dan dihadam oleh mereka yang pemikir, bukan setakat pentaklid dan pentaksub serta mereka yang jumud.

[mimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lent this book months ago but didn't start on it because honestly, it seemed like it would be a bit of a dull read. I was so wrong in that assumption. Not only did I learn a lot about the politicisation of Islam in Malaysia and other issues and important personages, but I was also entertained by the author's humour and wryness. I am especially taken by the relationship Farish has to his home country. He is dissatisfied with the directions its leaders have taken it in, yet still has a lot of love for it. This book is nearly 20 years old now, but still relevant and very wise.

[Hann Min · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took a big break before finishing the last 100 pages.

I found the last few essays particularly poignant, especially the last one.

The resonance probably came from personal experience.

When you see in another's words something that resonates, its consoling to know that you're not the only one suffering, that its all part of being human.

[Baljit · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a good series of articles addressing historical facts n issues that are rather taboo in the Malaysian political climate. It was written in the early post 9/11 years, so there has been further changes in the political landscape and global issues such as the emergence of ISIS. I tried to read it as a book cover to cover, and it was heavy and repetitive. Best to be dipped into periodically

[Tengku Muhammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Walaupun berbeza pendapat dengan pengarang, tapi pengarang berjaya membawa sisi baru dalam sejarah Malaysia. Cuma bagi pengarang negara ini tidak boleh dibina atas semangat perkauman dan perlu sekular

[Zenfira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku kedua (rasanya buku ketiga, tak ingat) diselesaikan di tahun 2013. Ada beberapa hal saya sangsi kenyataannya, namun secara kasar, saya dapat memahami beberapa mesej yang penulis (Dr Farish A Noor) sampaikan.

Saya kira, bila saya baca buku ini, saya jadi terfikir, apa yang saya baca dan hafal daripada kitab-kitab teks Sejarah KBSM dahulu? Hikayat Faridah Hanum yang ditulis Syeikh Syed al-Hadi, isinya apa sebenarnya? Dan itu saya ketemu serba ringkas di sini. Idea gagasan Syed al-Hadi dalam al-Ikhwan, juga penulis sentuh dalam buku ini.

Sebenarnya, buku ini boleh kira himpunan artikel-artikel penulis.

Sebagai mungkin "orang dalam", apabila saya baca tulisan penulis dari kaca mata "orang luar", jadi saya terlihat beberapa sudut yang kurang saya lihat sebelum ini - jadi ini hal yang baik, di mana kita tidak syok sendiri.

Kemudian, penulis juga memang berulang kali menekankan tentang soal "Malaysia"; kaca mata "Melayu" dan "Yang Lain"; kuil yang diruntuh versus masjid berlambak dibina.

Hal-hal ini saya renungkan, untuk tahu lebih mendalam.

Rabbi zidna 'ilman!

[Exavidreader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to finish this book as quickly as I could, not because it has an enticing plot of which I was dying to know its end, but because I just wanted to get it over and done with. It's basically a compilation of his online commentaries of events in Malaysia (~2003-2005) that he has made into a book. To be fair, if I had read the commentaries during the time the events had only recently taken place, I might have enjoyed it more. But since I didn't, and since I have read this author's more recent works (which happened to have some similar ideas), I'm relieved that I've finally finished it. I wonder why he doesn't seem as active online these days - I would love to hear his take on incidents that are happening now.

I will say one thing about Farish Noor though. Because of him, I learnt a lot of new things and my list of want-to-read books in my Goodreads account keeps growing and growing.

[Johan Radzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

biasa-biasa saja tentang komentari politik dan sejarah.

yang membuka mata aku hanyalah bahagian yang dimana farish bercerita mengenai hikayat melayu yang kaya dengan unsur-unsur tradisi setempat, baik islam, hindu, dan buddha. yang lain semuanya macam wacana-wacana yang kita boleh dapat di internet.

[Awan Sufi · Rating 5 out of 5]

a new dimension to see the true colors of malaysia. seorang rakyat malaysia patut membacanya, sementelah garapan di antara sejarah dan politik malaysia di tulis dengan satu pandangan yang berbeza. saya cukup2 menyukainya. =)

[Amal Hamsan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku pertama bergenre serius yang aku baca. Dan aku suka. Banyak benda baru yang aku dapat belajar. Banyak perkara yang selama ni aku tak pernah tahu, aku tahu.

One word: awesome.

[Asyran Shamsuddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selalu minat baca tulisan Farish A Noor.

[Zulakmar Hazwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantastic jobs! love this book very much

[Barry]

A good book if you want to know the history of Malaysia

[Zulhilmi Zakaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

"MASALAH ORANG LIBERAL"

Inilah masalah orang liberal seperti Dr. Farish Noor, mereka ini selalu membuatkan orang agama dan mereka yang terlibat dengan institusi agama keresahan untuk menilai semula pengamalan serta pendekatan mereka dalam kehidupan beragama.

Siapa yang salah? Bergantung dari perspektif mana kita melihat masalah ini?

Dalam buku ini, beliau menyentuh pelbagai aspek seputar wacana agama, budaya, sejarah, politik dan pendidikan. Beliau banyak juga mengkritik yang beliau namakan 'pengawal akhlak' atau yang kita biasa dengar 'polis agama'. Iaitu mereka-mereka yang seolah-olah menjaga ketulenan agama padahal lebih suka menghukum manusia lain yang seperti sudah mengambil tugas Tuhan.

Dr. Farish Noor dilihat benar-benar percaya bahawa negara sekular mampu memberikan hak, kesaksamaan serta udara demokratik dalam sesebuah negara. Terutama, Malaysia ini merupakan negara yang terdiri daripada masyarakat berbilang kaum.

Pandangan-pandangan beliau didalam buku ini pada saya ada kebenarannya walaupun banyak juga saya tidak bersetuju.