Journeys through Southeast Asia: ceritalah 2

by Karim Raslan

How can we define Southeast Asia – a region that has a plethora of diverse (and seemingly irreconcilable) faiths and cultures? Karim Raslan, one of Asia’s leading commentators and the author of Malaysia in Transition, addresses this puzzle as he trudges through the vast landscapes of the region. From Mahathir to Michelle Yeoh, from Islam to Indonesian rap music, Journeys Through Southeast Ceritalah 2 puts together the pieces of a massive puzzle that is Southeast Asia. By revealing facets of the region that have escaped our detection, Karim sweeps us from our familiar environs and brings us to the neglected Muslim enclaves in Buddhist Thailand – the bustling Rangoon of the 1930s; and the debilitated kratons in Solo. Tracing the steps of painters and poets, politicians and clerics, our guide wanders through overlooked communities, high-level conferences and elegant art galleries. With his usual wit and insight, Karim brings us closer to the vortex of Southeast Asia by painting an image that is both familiar and excitingly remote.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

237 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2002

Reviews

[Cryleo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3/5⭐

[Azmir Ismail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of articles written by Karim Raslan. A good read in terms of viewpoints covering 4 major areas - culture, people, politics n art, of a SEA perspective, from his observations.

[JL · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like me and karim would be homes 🤙

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than Ceritalah 1 & 3, which are more concerned about domestic Malaysian politics. The writing here is much stronger and more fluid - which I suspect may be less ot do with the author having matured an more to do with the need to simplify for a domestic audience when writing for strictly Malaysian publications; in contrast the essays here are published not just in MY but also Singapore and Australia. (This is not an indictment of the author but of the newspaper editors; Singapore's Straits Times also forces talented writers to dumb down their writing.) The scope is broader and also more big picture; another improvement over volumes 1 & 3 which can feel too esoteric. There is a lot here about racial politics in Malaysia, which is very interesting; he also makes the point that Malaysia and Indonesia as the largest moderate Muslim countries (and relatively pluralist in their approach, though becoming less so) have an important exemplary role to play on the global stage that is disproportionate to their relatively small economies. He also gives impressions of other SEA cities. In one for eg he writes that Singapore will never be a truly global city because of the provincialism of local mindset - "If you doubt my conclusion, read the city state's newspapers and examine the cultural concerns of the citizenry: the banality is astounding" - things have changed since 2001 when this was published and I wonder what he would say now; yet by and large I agree with him (I grew up and live in Singapore).

[Shirin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book until i came to the chapters about art and literature. Karim is obviously well versed with south east asian art and artist and he doesn't muck about. Like a student during an exam, he pours out everything he knows on the subject, leaving ignoramus like me in the dust. His writing seem to have matured in Ceritalah 2 and his 'cerita' seems to me to have more bite. However, along with maturity in writing, in this book Karim comes across as jaded with what goes on here in Malaysia, politically. This I can get a sen a gallon all over the internet; unedited to boot.

Speaking of editing, I spotted quite a few glaring errors (grammar and spelling) and i think editing could have been a bit more stringent before this piece of work was released.

[Johan Radzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Selain Salleh Ben Joned, eaku juga menyukai esei-esei yang ditulis Karim Raslan. Aku pernah baca Ceritalah 1 dan isi kandungannya tidak mengecewakan. Buku yang kedua ini - yang ditulis pasca reformasi - juga tidak mengecewakan. Kau akan dapati nada Karim berubah daripada buku yang pertama, di mana dia lebih optimistik dengan nilai-nilai asia yang dilaksanakan Tun Mahathir.

Apa pun, ia sebuah buku yang hebat bla bla cuma aku kurang dapat menghayati kritikan-kritikan Karim Raslan apabila dia berbicara mengenai lukisan seniman-seniman penting rantau ini. Ini kelemahan aku sendiri sebagai seseorang yang kurang arif mengenai lapangan seni lukis.

[Afiq Asyran · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's my favorite local author, every time I read The Sun, NST on Sunday, I'll find his column first. This book is the collection of his columns covering politics, art, social, entertainment in various newspapers from Indonesia, Singapore and MSia from 2000-2001 and im proud to say that this is my first local book I ever bought. Easy to read, have so many valuable analysis and information about the future of the modern Malaysia. His storytelling skill are very sophisticated.

Where I bought: Big Bad Wolf 2010
Price: RM8 after discount

[Norherani Moning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thought provoking, refreshing and captivating views of Malaysia and Southeast Asia. I find that young Malaysians ought to read this book and try to see 'things' differently because even though this book is basically Karim Raslan's opinion of the Malaysian political situation and the region, he tried to throw in a direction of how things were and would be and to be able to move forward politically and socially in this part of the world

[Metty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose if I would like to learn writing, this book is among the materials I should read as a guidance on how to write in a witty and entertaining way.

[Junnaini.ismun Ismun · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, you think life in Southeast Asia is boring ? Read this book, and you'll change your mind.

[Aslinda Sofea AbdRahman]

Very sharp observations you just can put the book down!! Mr Karim doing what he does best- writing satirical essays on SEA politics