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What's in a Name: Family, career and the heart of Malaysia
What’s in a Name takes readers to the often troubled centre of Malaysian politics and
business over the last fifty years.
Nazir Razak built CIMB Group into one of the most successful banks in ASEAN. In a career spanning three decades, he has been at the centre of the action. And when he was not, he had a ringside seat for all the biggest deals and power struggles, victories and defeats involving some of the most colourful characters of recent times.
In this revealing memoir, Nazir recounts what it was like growing up in Malaysia’s most prominent political family, honouring the legacy of his late father, Abdul Razak, Malaysia’s revered second prime minister, while also being the brother of Najib Razak, whose term as prime minister ended with the ignominious 1MDB scandal – the fallout of which continues today.
This is not just the story of Nazir’s life as one of Malaysia’s most successful businessmen; it is also a drama of family loyalty and what happens when that loyalty comes into conflict with deeply held principles. Nazir concludes with
an analysis of the Malaysian political economy from his unique vantage point, and makes a compelling case for reforms and how they can be made.
business over the last fifty years.
Nazir Razak built CIMB Group into one of the most successful banks in ASEAN. In a career spanning three decades, he has been at the centre of the action. And when he was not, he had a ringside seat for all the biggest deals and power struggles, victories and defeats involving some of the most colourful characters of recent times.
In this revealing memoir, Nazir recounts what it was like growing up in Malaysia’s most prominent political family, honouring the legacy of his late father, Abdul Razak, Malaysia’s revered second prime minister, while also being the brother of Najib Razak, whose term as prime minister ended with the ignominious 1MDB scandal – the fallout of which continues today.
This is not just the story of Nazir’s life as one of Malaysia’s most successful businessmen; it is also a drama of family loyalty and what happens when that loyalty comes into conflict with deeply held principles. Nazir concludes with
an analysis of the Malaysian political economy from his unique vantage point, and makes a compelling case for reforms and how they can be made.
- GenresBiography
447 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2021
13 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 3, 2022
Hari tu saya nampak di MPH sudah ada versi terjemahan untuk buku ni dalam Bahasa Melayu. Saya beli versi ini masa awal buku ini dilancarkan dan terus baca. Tetapi baca sikit-sikit sambil-sambil sampailah tamatkan bacaan masa dalam penerbangan ke Kedah bulan Mac yang lalu. Lama peram tak tulis-tulis tentang buku ni.
Saya dah tak ingat sangat, tetapi yang saya suka tentulah beberapa pendedahan khas berkaitan 1MDB dan juga watak utama disebaliknya. Selain itu, sisi-sisi tentang Allahyarham Tun Razak juga sangat menarik dikupas. Banyak mutiara yang boleh dikutip tentang karektor, budi dan cara kerja. Juga sudah tentu bagaimana kehidupan seorang anak Perdana Menteri pada ketika itu.
Yang saya kurang minat sikit bab-bab berkaitan korporat dan CIMB. Bukan jiwa saya. Baca sekali lalu sekadar untuk ambil tahu.
Buku yang ada kelainan tersendiri, terutama apabila penulis membongkar masalah-masalah akar di Malaysia dan juga mencadangkan solusi. Bab ini yang saya sangat tertarik.
Untuk orang seperti saya, buku ini ada menawarkan beberapa pengajaran berharga. Membaca dunia lain. Melihat sisi lain. Tak rugi untuk membaca buku ini.
Saya dah tak ingat sangat, tetapi yang saya suka tentulah beberapa pendedahan khas berkaitan 1MDB dan juga watak utama disebaliknya. Selain itu, sisi-sisi tentang Allahyarham Tun Razak juga sangat menarik dikupas. Banyak mutiara yang boleh dikutip tentang karektor, budi dan cara kerja. Juga sudah tentu bagaimana kehidupan seorang anak Perdana Menteri pada ketika itu.
Yang saya kurang minat sikit bab-bab berkaitan korporat dan CIMB. Bukan jiwa saya. Baca sekali lalu sekadar untuk ambil tahu.
Buku yang ada kelainan tersendiri, terutama apabila penulis membongkar masalah-masalah akar di Malaysia dan juga mencadangkan solusi. Bab ini yang saya sangat tertarik.
Untuk orang seperti saya, buku ini ada menawarkan beberapa pengajaran berharga. Membaca dunia lain. Melihat sisi lain. Tak rugi untuk membaca buku ini.
January 2, 2022
Okay lah this book. Cannot believe this is my first read for 2022. Lots of tea but not so detailed. Nazir, as you all know, is a successful banker who helmed CIMB and turned it to an ASEAN powerhouse. I remembered when my father was alive - being a Maybanker, he disliked CIMB's phenomenonal rise. Nazir also happened to be the former PM Najib Razak's brother.
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📚What’s In A Name by Nazir Razak
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For me, the book has three main parts - a) His childhood and the worship of Tun Razak, his father, b) his illustrious and prodigal banking career and c) 1MDB and his brother's corrupt ministerial practices. His father's image in his narrative is that of a man of integrity who led the creation of middle-class Malays. Nazir's childhood was that of a privileged aristocratic scion, no surprise there. He lost his father at a young age and was given a scholarship to study in the UK. The banking part is fascinating, though. I don't really understand economy but Nazir managed to explain what he did with clarity and readability. The Najib part, as always, is the TEA. He watched as his brother fell from grace. And I am sure he was indirectly dragged into it as well. The funny thing is that when Najib stopped listening, Nazir went to ask Mahathir for help. Oh. My. God.
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The last part is a bit ughhh for me. Nazir proceeded to present his own thoughts on democracy and suggested for his 'democratic group' to be under the purview of royalty. I have nothing against the monarchy but this all seems like the dealings among the elites/kayangan. Very capitalist.
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The book itself is an enjoyable read. You'd learn a lot about what it's like to be a Prime Minister's son and brother, the banking system and the corrupt political nature of state-influenced economy. But yea.... Me cannot lah. Elitist people complaining about elitist things. All these capitalist complaints. All these concentrated power and easy access to money and connections. How do these people sleep at night without thinking about those who are not as privileged as them?
.
📚What’s In A Name by Nazir Razak
.
For me, the book has three main parts - a) His childhood and the worship of Tun Razak, his father, b) his illustrious and prodigal banking career and c) 1MDB and his brother's corrupt ministerial practices. His father's image in his narrative is that of a man of integrity who led the creation of middle-class Malays. Nazir's childhood was that of a privileged aristocratic scion, no surprise there. He lost his father at a young age and was given a scholarship to study in the UK. The banking part is fascinating, though. I don't really understand economy but Nazir managed to explain what he did with clarity and readability. The Najib part, as always, is the TEA. He watched as his brother fell from grace. And I am sure he was indirectly dragged into it as well. The funny thing is that when Najib stopped listening, Nazir went to ask Mahathir for help. Oh. My. God.
.
The last part is a bit ughhh for me. Nazir proceeded to present his own thoughts on democracy and suggested for his 'democratic group' to be under the purview of royalty. I have nothing against the monarchy but this all seems like the dealings among the elites/kayangan. Very capitalist.
.
The book itself is an enjoyable read. You'd learn a lot about what it's like to be a Prime Minister's son and brother, the banking system and the corrupt political nature of state-influenced economy. But yea.... Me cannot lah. Elitist people complaining about elitist things. All these capitalist complaints. All these concentrated power and easy access to money and connections. How do these people sleep at night without thinking about those who are not as privileged as them?
December 5, 2021
Autobiographical part of the book was 5/5. But I can't help feeling that the commentary about his late father was perhaps bias (especially having read the same history from Tommy Thomas's perspective). Nazir's personal roadmap on Malaysia's renewal is also worth skipping. Leadership renewal is a challenge even in a country with no corruption such as Singapore. Nazir correctly pointed out the issue with our system is deeply rooted and his roadmap although offer one suggestion on how we can reform the system it is nothing more than one person's vision with little or no chance of being implemented.
December 8, 2022
I read this right after PRU15 and what an exciting time it was. No party got the majority and ended up with PH-BN having to work together to build a mixed government. And yet, they still want to call it a Unity government when there is clearly an opposition. Having gone through 22 months of PH disaster before, I can see now even after 2 weeks of this new government, so many aspects of them is a joke. But, we shall wait and see.
In this book, there are things I agree and disagree. But you see the side where even Nazir has his hands 'dirty' when there are business dealings meant just to bail out failed government related companies. And also you see the side of Anwar beyond what people only perceived now. So we Malaysians have a right to be concern now that he is holding PM and MOF posts also (what happened to PM cannot be MOF?)
In PRU15, I learnt how all politicians are not to be trusted and not to believe everything you see on social media. And reading this book opened my eyes more to the reality of politics, Malaysia and its history and corporate sector. This book will give inspiration and motivation for anyone who wants to succeed. Despite him being 'someone', he still need to work hard. But, you got to admit that he does get some entitlement also because of who he is.
As a whole, this is a great book and recommended to read. It gives us a closer look into politics and also in reading between the lines. However, the lack of 'everyday people' or those who don't have status etc just made this one a little...not to say shallow, but maybe hard to relate for some.
In this book, there are things I agree and disagree. But you see the side where even Nazir has his hands 'dirty' when there are business dealings meant just to bail out failed government related companies. And also you see the side of Anwar beyond what people only perceived now. So we Malaysians have a right to be concern now that he is holding PM and MOF posts also (what happened to PM cannot be MOF?)
In PRU15, I learnt how all politicians are not to be trusted and not to believe everything you see on social media. And reading this book opened my eyes more to the reality of politics, Malaysia and its history and corporate sector. This book will give inspiration and motivation for anyone who wants to succeed. Despite him being 'someone', he still need to work hard. But, you got to admit that he does get some entitlement also because of who he is.
As a whole, this is a great book and recommended to read. It gives us a closer look into politics and also in reading between the lines. However, the lack of 'everyday people' or those who don't have status etc just made this one a little...not to say shallow, but maybe hard to relate for some.
January 2, 2022
What’s in a Name is a memoir by Datuk Seri Nazir Razak, son of Malaysia’s second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak and the architect behind the transformation of CIMB Bank into one of the largest banking groups in Southeast Asia.
What makes it a compelling read? This book provides an insight into a side of Nazir not always known to the wider public. His memoir, or reflections, as he likes to call it, chronicles three major periods in his life — his growing up years, the legacy left behind by his father, banking career and the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) debacle — and the way forward for Malaysia.
As a Malaysian, my key takeaways the book provides a perspective on the legacy (changes to the socio economic, policy, and nation building agenda) by Tun Razak. Was it meant to last beyond 20 years? All policies and decisions made considering factors such as socio economic, people, tension are only relevant at the point of time and probably will not stand the test of time.
Readers who like this book should also view "The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr. Ismail and His Time by Ooi Kee Beng".
What makes it a compelling read? This book provides an insight into a side of Nazir not always known to the wider public. His memoir, or reflections, as he likes to call it, chronicles three major periods in his life — his growing up years, the legacy left behind by his father, banking career and the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) debacle — and the way forward for Malaysia.
As a Malaysian, my key takeaways the book provides a perspective on the legacy (changes to the socio economic, policy, and nation building agenda) by Tun Razak. Was it meant to last beyond 20 years? All policies and decisions made considering factors such as socio economic, people, tension are only relevant at the point of time and probably will not stand the test of time.
Readers who like this book should also view "The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr. Ismail and His Time by Ooi Kee Beng".
February 13, 2024
Great insights by T.S. Nazir. This book had been unfairly kept in untouched in the library room for over a year now but reading it was a pleasure. I've particularly enjoyed reading about his journey from the start of his career in CIMB as an investment banker and eventually leading the bank to have overseas presence across ASEAN. Great honest insights, especially on his forced exit from CIMB.
December 16, 2021
Interesting read but some parts can skip or read with a pinch of salt. Also, the so-called roadmap to Malaysia recovery is “utopia-like”. Nothing is perfect, yes.
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July 10, 2022It is interesting to read. A lots of tea but not so detailed.
September 24, 2022
I love a good memoir so naturally I couldn't pass on this book by DS Nazir Razak. This book entails refreshing bits about the author's relentless hard work in building CIMB Group into one of the leading banks in ASEAN today, as he shares his struggles and journey in his early years.
If you're also a curious bystander of the 1MDB scandal, this book will give you a staggering POV of the events leading up to the downfall of our then Prime Minister. I’m also a huge fan of the eloquent yet relaxed style of language presented in this book.
If you're also a curious bystander of the 1MDB scandal, this book will give you a staggering POV of the events leading up to the downfall of our then Prime Minister. I’m also a huge fan of the eloquent yet relaxed style of language presented in this book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews