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Liberating the Malay Mind
In Liberating The Malay Mind, M. Bakri Musa maps with clarity a path towards a liberated Malaysia by carefully examining the country's past and evaluating the current Malay obsession with Ketuanan Melayu. The book explores the way in how special rights and "sons of soil" privileges bestowed have inhibited the Malay people from forging an educated, dynamic and globally competitive Tanah Melayu.
Dr. Bakri Musa examines Malay culture through the prisms of history, psyche and religion and details the steps necessary to liberate the collective Malay mindset through free access to information, an enlightened education system, and engagement in commerce.
With this careful navigation, and not by pinning hopes on the political amulet of Article 153, Liberating The Malay Mind forges a way towards a self-sufficient Malaysia, able to turn crises into opportunities, and challenges into inspirations.
"Unlike our political merdeka - which was granted to us by the British - our liberated mind cannot be bestowed. We have to strive for it. Then we will be Tuans even elsewhere other than Tanah Melayu." - M. Bakri Musa
Dr. Bakri Musa examines Malay culture through the prisms of history, psyche and religion and details the steps necessary to liberate the collective Malay mindset through free access to information, an enlightened education system, and engagement in commerce.
With this careful navigation, and not by pinning hopes on the political amulet of Article 153, Liberating The Malay Mind forges a way towards a self-sufficient Malaysia, able to turn crises into opportunities, and challenges into inspirations.
"Unlike our political merdeka - which was granted to us by the British - our liberated mind cannot be bestowed. We have to strive for it. Then we will be Tuans even elsewhere other than Tanah Melayu." - M. Bakri Musa
534 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
13 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 9, 2013
I think this book should be translated into Malay so that it can reach its targeted audience better. Right now, in its English form, only urban, English speaking Malays are able to access its views and I think that is a great disservice to a well thought out, well written book such as this.
Kudos to M. Bakri Musa. I look forward to reading more of his works in the future.
Kudos to M. Bakri Musa. I look forward to reading more of his works in the future.
October 12, 2014
Heavy in content, had to reread a few chapters to fully understand what the author was trying to bring forward.
The author has valid points albeit the American-centric approach which is most probably due to the fact that the Author has now moved indefinitely to the States and where he drives most of his examples from.
The author has valid points albeit the American-centric approach which is most probably due to the fact that the Author has now moved indefinitely to the States and where he drives most of his examples from.
September 10, 2016
The effort demanded to finish this 500+ pages book was quite taxing. For the first 200+ pages it annoyed me, and I did not feel liberated at all even after I have finished reading the book. I don’t see the relevance of this book in addressing the ‘trapped’ minds of the Malays- Bakri Musa had basically pointed the obvious and the writing was merely a repetition/recollection of the constellation of pervasive issues in regards of the Malays lot.
Bakri Musa attempted to define ‘free mind’ only at page 133, further justifying the irrelevancy of him babbling in the early chapters up to that point. No wonder I felt the word had been liberally used, it gave you the feeling that Bakri Musa freely sprinkled the word in whatever sentence he felt best just so that it confirmed to the title of the book, consequently leading me to abandon this book for nearly half a year. Gave this book another chance to redeem itself (and also due to my curiosity on how to make my Malay mind felt liberalized), however if failed me still.
On page 345, Bakri Musa said that he did not have the literary talent to make his ‘Ten Decisions’ (I found it to be ridiculously funny that he attempted this!) match the brevity, clarity, or gravity of the Ten Commandments, so he asked the readers to pardon his verbiage.
This book is lacking exactly all that: brevity, clarity and gravity. So, pardon his verbiage. I won’t recommend this book at all.
*He introduced me to Pramoedya Ananta Toer and I totally fall for his writings. Thanks!*
Bakri Musa attempted to define ‘free mind’ only at page 133, further justifying the irrelevancy of him babbling in the early chapters up to that point. No wonder I felt the word had been liberally used, it gave you the feeling that Bakri Musa freely sprinkled the word in whatever sentence he felt best just so that it confirmed to the title of the book, consequently leading me to abandon this book for nearly half a year. Gave this book another chance to redeem itself (and also due to my curiosity on how to make my Malay mind felt liberalized), however if failed me still.
On page 345, Bakri Musa said that he did not have the literary talent to make his ‘Ten Decisions’ (I found it to be ridiculously funny that he attempted this!) match the brevity, clarity, or gravity of the Ten Commandments, so he asked the readers to pardon his verbiage.
This book is lacking exactly all that: brevity, clarity and gravity. So, pardon his verbiage. I won’t recommend this book at all.
*He introduced me to Pramoedya Ananta Toer and I totally fall for his writings. Thanks!*
September 1, 2013
A book that should be read by all Malaysian, not just the Malays.
A topic that can only be breached by a Malay without being labelled as "ungrateful", "how-dare-you" and whatever. Although I do not agree with the author 100%, his views and suggestions, if widely accepted and executed, will definitely make Malaysia a much better place (for all) than it is right now.
A topic that can only be breached by a Malay without being labelled as "ungrateful", "how-dare-you" and whatever. Although I do not agree with the author 100%, his views and suggestions, if widely accepted and executed, will definitely make Malaysia a much better place (for all) than it is right now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2018
I liked some of his views. Different from what I've ever encountered. I needed a breath of fresh air. Alas, not all were my cup of tea. I did not give it a full 5 stars because of a few reasons; one of it being that he dedicated approximately 50+ pages to GLCs and I skipped 60% of it. I know, I know what a waste! But, hey I learn Economics and there's only so much that I can digest.
January 6, 2021
Half of the book talks about the malay mind, in a rather vaguely term. another part is just politics, and how certain parties are very good.
June 13, 2022
A good enlightening read
September 3, 2013
Excellent piece! So refreshing! This book is worth reading, mind-stimulating, though provoking and packed with anecdotal facts.
I really love the choice of words used to describe situation/phenomena/attitude in this book. I am stunned on how the author relates the discussion about history, medical science, psychology, anthropology, literature and even theology/religion in the chapters of this book. They are not generic arguments, but supported by references (thesis/experiments/empirical studies/true account of events)
His liberal thought on interpretation of Islamic law draw utmost respect from me since I found that he's not subscribed to the "typical liberal" ideology of questioning & disagreeing everything abt islamic law. His point of view proven valid and relevant...(Though, i beg to differ on his view abt Riba')
This book need to be translated to BM. Malay at large really need to read this book, be critical abt the content and adopt everything practical and beneficial for them.
I'll definitely find other books written by him. Thank you Dr. Bakri for this excellent book. Please write more!
I really love the choice of words used to describe situation/phenomena/attitude in this book. I am stunned on how the author relates the discussion about history, medical science, psychology, anthropology, literature and even theology/religion in the chapters of this book. They are not generic arguments, but supported by references (thesis/experiments/empirical studies/true account of events)
His liberal thought on interpretation of Islamic law draw utmost respect from me since I found that he's not subscribed to the "typical liberal" ideology of questioning & disagreeing everything abt islamic law. His point of view proven valid and relevant...(Though, i beg to differ on his view abt Riba')
This book need to be translated to BM. Malay at large really need to read this book, be critical abt the content and adopt everything practical and beneficial for them.
I'll definitely find other books written by him. Thank you Dr. Bakri for this excellent book. Please write more!
April 24, 2014
Well written book with thought provoking ideas. Managed to analyse the malays mindset and gave ideas on revamping the malay minds
December 2, 2016
Refreshing insight, thought provoking read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews