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Sang Kancil: A Tale about How Ordinary Malaysians Defied the Odds
"Eye-opening... This book will change the way we understand social transformation in the coming years." - Ha Joon Chang, bestselling author of Economics: The User's Guide and Edible Economics: A Hungry Economist Explains the World
"Powerful, beautiful... compulsory reading for anyone who yearns to make the world a better place." - Christine Helliwell, author of Semut: The Untold Story of a Secret Australian Operation in WWII Borneo, winner of the Australian Prime Minister's Literary Award
Ordinary is not as ordinary as you think. History is written by the loudest and most charismatic victors, but are silent about the true movers and shakers: the rebels, the honest servants, the quiet doers, the square pegs in a round hole, and the ordinary believers who kept showing up.
Through seven moving tales of courage, prolific Malaysian writer, James Chai, shows us in his debut book how:
– A frail 70-year-old woman became the face of Malaysia’s largest protest that helped overturn the longest-ruling regime in the world;
– A mother-of-two fought through gender and racial unfairness and became the first Asian woman to win the ‘Nobel Prize for Cancer Research’;
– A middle-aged, middle-level government servant exposed the largest white-collar crime in the world;
– A punk graphic artist persevered through multiple arrests and drew one of the most recognisable activist artworks in the region;
– An indigenous retiree battled powerful governments and corporations to usher in one of the largest environmental victories in Southeast Asia;
– A group of leaderless Sikh organisation saved the lives of thousands in the worst flood in modern Malaysian history; and
– A suburban bottom-of-class student found his way through modern history’s bloodiest wars and won the Pulitzer Prize.
Sang Kancil will force us to reassess what is truly important and remind us of what we are capable of. Filled with research-backed theories, this book is a call-to-action for the underdogs battling our own giants.
"The use of Sang Kancil (mousedeer) is highly appropriate, and brings an element of folklore to these stories of ordinary Malaysians." - Muhammad Haji Salleh, National Literary Laureate (judge's citation)
"The past few years have been rough on the psyches of Malaysians, and Sang Kancil offers these superheroes (sans capes and masks) to readers, teaching them absolute resolve and resilience." - Dina Zaman, bestselling author of I Am Muslim
"Rarest presentation of literature. A collection of oral history on how ordinary people can shape the world." - Faisal Tehrani, author of 1515 and winner of Malaysia's National Art Award
"Powerful, beautiful... compulsory reading for anyone who yearns to make the world a better place." - Christine Helliwell, author of Semut: The Untold Story of a Secret Australian Operation in WWII Borneo, winner of the Australian Prime Minister's Literary Award
Ordinary is not as ordinary as you think. History is written by the loudest and most charismatic victors, but are silent about the true movers and shakers: the rebels, the honest servants, the quiet doers, the square pegs in a round hole, and the ordinary believers who kept showing up.
Through seven moving tales of courage, prolific Malaysian writer, James Chai, shows us in his debut book how:
– A frail 70-year-old woman became the face of Malaysia’s largest protest that helped overturn the longest-ruling regime in the world;
– A mother-of-two fought through gender and racial unfairness and became the first Asian woman to win the ‘Nobel Prize for Cancer Research’;
– A middle-aged, middle-level government servant exposed the largest white-collar crime in the world;
– A punk graphic artist persevered through multiple arrests and drew one of the most recognisable activist artworks in the region;
– An indigenous retiree battled powerful governments and corporations to usher in one of the largest environmental victories in Southeast Asia;
– A group of leaderless Sikh organisation saved the lives of thousands in the worst flood in modern Malaysian history; and
– A suburban bottom-of-class student found his way through modern history’s bloodiest wars and won the Pulitzer Prize.
Sang Kancil will force us to reassess what is truly important and remind us of what we are capable of. Filled with research-backed theories, this book is a call-to-action for the underdogs battling our own giants.
"The use of Sang Kancil (mousedeer) is highly appropriate, and brings an element of folklore to these stories of ordinary Malaysians." - Muhammad Haji Salleh, National Literary Laureate (judge's citation)
"The past few years have been rough on the psyches of Malaysians, and Sang Kancil offers these superheroes (sans capes and masks) to readers, teaching them absolute resolve and resilience." - Dina Zaman, bestselling author of I Am Muslim
"Rarest presentation of literature. A collection of oral history on how ordinary people can shape the world." - Faisal Tehrani, author of 1515 and winner of Malaysia's National Art Award
- GenresNonfiction
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
12 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 24, 2023
Rating: 4.25
Most Malaysians are familiar with the tale of the sang kancil, the clever mousedeer that manages to outwit its opponents that are bigger, faster, and more dangerous. There are countless tales that extoll on the kancil's talents for extricating itself out of a tight spot, which mostly boils down to turning its weaknesses into its source of strength. To this day, the kancil's resourcefulness (some might even call it cunningness) is synonymous with the concept of the underdogs; both are underestimated and overlooked compared to their louder & bigger counterparts, but both prove to be more persistent & resilient when it comes to survival.
"Sang Kancil" focuses on Malaysia's underdogs by interviewing some infamous Malaysians who have rocked the status quo in recent times. Armed with lessons learnt from their experience, each story gives readers insights on how we can harness our strength to fight against the seemingly more powerful entities. Filled with illustrations of several figures being showcased, the book is a testament to the power of ordinariness.
Among others, readers will read about: a woman in her 60s who joined the Bersih protest & inspiring many others to join in the causes they believed in; an unassuming doctor who won a Nobel prize for her discovery in cancer research; a discrete government servant who held the key evidence for the 1MDB scandal court case; a man who flunked out of school & later became a photographer covering worldwide events, notably the resurrection of the Taliban rule in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal from the country; a retiree turned activist who saveds Sarawak from a dam project which would destroy indigenous people's territory & natural environment; an artist who endured jail & abuse for 'seditious’ art; a community that organized itself to help with the worst flood in recent history without the government's (late) assistance, and so much more.
"Sang Kancil" celebrates the ordinary people and acts as a call for action to stand for what we believe in. The stories show that it doesn't matter how small you feel, what matters are the actions you take based on the values that you hold. A great read for all Malaysians who believe in the slogan of #malaysiaboleh.
Thank you Times Reads & the publisher for the review copy of this amazing read, I really appreciate it!
Most Malaysians are familiar with the tale of the sang kancil, the clever mousedeer that manages to outwit its opponents that are bigger, faster, and more dangerous. There are countless tales that extoll on the kancil's talents for extricating itself out of a tight spot, which mostly boils down to turning its weaknesses into its source of strength. To this day, the kancil's resourcefulness (some might even call it cunningness) is synonymous with the concept of the underdogs; both are underestimated and overlooked compared to their louder & bigger counterparts, but both prove to be more persistent & resilient when it comes to survival.
"Sang Kancil" focuses on Malaysia's underdogs by interviewing some infamous Malaysians who have rocked the status quo in recent times. Armed with lessons learnt from their experience, each story gives readers insights on how we can harness our strength to fight against the seemingly more powerful entities. Filled with illustrations of several figures being showcased, the book is a testament to the power of ordinariness.
Among others, readers will read about: a woman in her 60s who joined the Bersih protest & inspiring many others to join in the causes they believed in; an unassuming doctor who won a Nobel prize for her discovery in cancer research; a discrete government servant who held the key evidence for the 1MDB scandal court case; a man who flunked out of school & later became a photographer covering worldwide events, notably the resurrection of the Taliban rule in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal from the country; a retiree turned activist who saveds Sarawak from a dam project which would destroy indigenous people's territory & natural environment; an artist who endured jail & abuse for 'seditious’ art; a community that organized itself to help with the worst flood in recent history without the government's (late) assistance, and so much more.
"Sang Kancil" celebrates the ordinary people and acts as a call for action to stand for what we believe in. The stories show that it doesn't matter how small you feel, what matters are the actions you take based on the values that you hold. A great read for all Malaysians who believe in the slogan of #malaysiaboleh.
Thank you Times Reads & the publisher for the review copy of this amazing read, I really appreciate it!
December 4, 2023
Sang Kancil comes at an important time in Malaysia's political climate. It has been over a year since the country's 15th General Elections and a few years since the tumultuous years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the infamous Sheraton Move (a legal political coup). Whatever Malaysians imagined were promised after the Barisan Nasional government was historically removed from power in 2018 quickly dissolved into apathy and despair as the country rapidly polarised.
James C. attempts to look away from the politics that dominate Malaysian discourse and look to the everyday and ordinary. His thesis: change comes from the ordinary. Of course, defining what "ordinary" means is necessary. James has seven case studies, carefully curated to present his argument. These were ordinary individuals before they caught media attention; they existed below the radar until their acts of defiance, perseverance, or courage landed them in media headlines. This is James' sampling, and where my contention is for Sang Kancil. Is it a problem? No. But it is something that lingered for me throughout. Only two case studies stood out to me as truly "ordinary", but we will discuss that later in this review.
James C.'s writing reminds me of Malcolm Gladwell, who intersperses storytelling with evidence-backed studies. This is a style that becomes a clear pattern throughout. It doesn't detract from the storytelling - as James writes well enough to guide you through the flow. However, sometimes, I find myself being taken out of the immersion of an individual's story only to be given an academic explanation to demystify the 'why' of the paragraphs or sections that came before. There is significant hand-holding for readers in explaining why the individual's story is important instead of trusting readers to reflect for themselves. That said, James C. is upfront with this approach. At the beginning of the book, he indicates how the experience of reading the book should go. Whether to jump straight to the takeaways, i.e., the conclusion chapter, to pick any story that interests them, or to move through the text chronologically. It is a contentious approach to instruct readers how they should experience a book instead of allowing users to discover for themselves. But this is where I will also reflect that maybe I am not the sort of reader James C. is writing for.
So, which case studies stood out to me? The first is Nor Salwani, the civil servant who provided the key evidence in the 1MDB corruption trial. In an interview, James states that he did not manage to do a recorded interview with Nor Salwani and only managed a conversation with her or learned more about her from others. I imagine this forced James to write about her more illustratively; to delve deeper into her context and actions because he wasn't given one through an interview. James C. displays a talent for writing good suspense in this particular chapter, drawing on both his and the reader's imagination to play out the events. My emotional investment was most heightened in this chapter, a feeling that I wished I got more with the other esteemed individuals in Sang Kancil. James C. approach in "writing from a distance" is one also done by prolific writer, Gay Talese's 1966 profile, Frank Sinatra Has a Cold , which I would highly recommend reading.
The second standout case study is the Gurdwara Sahib PJ Sikh Centre, which ran disaster relief operations during the devastating 2021 floods. This chapter held the strongest lesson of Sang Kancil that I wished James C. leaned in more: that is, the potential of collective action. While the rest of Sang Kancil were about individuals, the Gurdwara Sahib case study truly illustrated how change can happen when individuals collaborate for a worthy cause. It escapes the trappings of the typical individual hero's journey we often consume in media, which we often fantasise about but leave us paralysed or helpless when faced with the surmountable challenge of actual change. Historically, collective action is where the most impact happens, but it is one lesson that I fear readers would gloss over when reading the other chapters about individuals. This is especially crucial considering Malaysian society's psyche in lionising individuals- something that James C. himself acknowledges.
When it comes to intent, Sang Kancil is certainly political without openly declaring it. James C. intends the reader to gain some hope in the country's currently troubled times and to do something - anything. Sang Kancil, as James C. also admits in his book launch, is for progressives of the Malaysian cloth. Sang Kancil will certainly make readers of this profile feel good and offer some respite. But will it actually inspire readers to act? James C. certainly hopes so. But if Malaysian political scientist Nicholas Chan's argument of liberals and their inclination of roomba politics is to be believed, I am not too hopeful. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend Sang Kancil to anyone who wants a deeper, Malaysian-context insight on how individuals might be able to make incremental changes against a leviathan of a political state.
James C. attempts to look away from the politics that dominate Malaysian discourse and look to the everyday and ordinary. His thesis: change comes from the ordinary. Of course, defining what "ordinary" means is necessary. James has seven case studies, carefully curated to present his argument. These were ordinary individuals before they caught media attention; they existed below the radar until their acts of defiance, perseverance, or courage landed them in media headlines. This is James' sampling, and where my contention is for Sang Kancil. Is it a problem? No. But it is something that lingered for me throughout. Only two case studies stood out to me as truly "ordinary", but we will discuss that later in this review.
James C.'s writing reminds me of Malcolm Gladwell, who intersperses storytelling with evidence-backed studies. This is a style that becomes a clear pattern throughout. It doesn't detract from the storytelling - as James writes well enough to guide you through the flow. However, sometimes, I find myself being taken out of the immersion of an individual's story only to be given an academic explanation to demystify the 'why' of the paragraphs or sections that came before. There is significant hand-holding for readers in explaining why the individual's story is important instead of trusting readers to reflect for themselves. That said, James C. is upfront with this approach. At the beginning of the book, he indicates how the experience of reading the book should go. Whether to jump straight to the takeaways, i.e., the conclusion chapter, to pick any story that interests them, or to move through the text chronologically. It is a contentious approach to instruct readers how they should experience a book instead of allowing users to discover for themselves. But this is where I will also reflect that maybe I am not the sort of reader James C. is writing for.
So, which case studies stood out to me? The first is Nor Salwani, the civil servant who provided the key evidence in the 1MDB corruption trial. In an interview, James states that he did not manage to do a recorded interview with Nor Salwani and only managed a conversation with her or learned more about her from others. I imagine this forced James to write about her more illustratively; to delve deeper into her context and actions because he wasn't given one through an interview. James C. displays a talent for writing good suspense in this particular chapter, drawing on both his and the reader's imagination to play out the events. My emotional investment was most heightened in this chapter, a feeling that I wished I got more with the other esteemed individuals in Sang Kancil. James C. approach in "writing from a distance" is one also done by prolific writer, Gay Talese's 1966 profile, Frank Sinatra Has a Cold , which I would highly recommend reading.
The second standout case study is the Gurdwara Sahib PJ Sikh Centre, which ran disaster relief operations during the devastating 2021 floods. This chapter held the strongest lesson of Sang Kancil that I wished James C. leaned in more: that is, the potential of collective action. While the rest of Sang Kancil were about individuals, the Gurdwara Sahib case study truly illustrated how change can happen when individuals collaborate for a worthy cause. It escapes the trappings of the typical individual hero's journey we often consume in media, which we often fantasise about but leave us paralysed or helpless when faced with the surmountable challenge of actual change. Historically, collective action is where the most impact happens, but it is one lesson that I fear readers would gloss over when reading the other chapters about individuals. This is especially crucial considering Malaysian society's psyche in lionising individuals- something that James C. himself acknowledges.
When it comes to intent, Sang Kancil is certainly political without openly declaring it. James C. intends the reader to gain some hope in the country's currently troubled times and to do something - anything. Sang Kancil, as James C. also admits in his book launch, is for progressives of the Malaysian cloth. Sang Kancil will certainly make readers of this profile feel good and offer some respite. But will it actually inspire readers to act? James C. certainly hopes so. But if Malaysian political scientist Nicholas Chan's argument of liberals and their inclination of roomba politics is to be believed, I am not too hopeful. Nevertheless, I would highly recommend Sang Kancil to anyone who wants a deeper, Malaysian-context insight on how individuals might be able to make incremental changes against a leviathan of a political state.
December 24, 2023
The author, James put together 7 ordinary Malaysians achieving extraordinary things in their own ways. The entire book is so well thought (from the book title to content to summary of each chapter to key takeaways for the whole book!). It’s so well put together.
This book is so “refreshing” to read. It is very well written and easy to read when the author included a lot of explanatory notes for some technical aspect. (I’m sure readers who are not in respective fields will appreciate this approach a lot).
I know this book is new but it’s so underrated!!! I would rate it 10/5. Highly recommend!! I hope many more readers will feel inspired to achieve extraordinary things in our own capacity / role while staying close to our own life values / principles.
This book is so “refreshing” to read. It is very well written and easy to read when the author included a lot of explanatory notes for some technical aspect. (I’m sure readers who are not in respective fields will appreciate this approach a lot).
I know this book is new but it’s so underrated!!! I would rate it 10/5. Highly recommend!! I hope many more readers will feel inspired to achieve extraordinary things in our own capacity / role while staying close to our own life values / principles.
August 30, 2025
"find something to believe in and fight for it"
I loved how the author weaved in broader concepts of how social change happens and shows how it applies in each scenario.
It did feel a little over-detailed at times but I guess that's how the author was trying to immerse us in the story.
this also felt like a journey through significant political events in Malaysia's recent history. empowering to believe that there is hope for our country to improve!
nitpick: it would have been a much better experience for the audiobook if the reader was Malaysian / got the pronunciation for lots of things correct. otherwise it makes it really hard to understand when I do have some context
I loved how the author weaved in broader concepts of how social change happens and shows how it applies in each scenario.
It did feel a little over-detailed at times but I guess that's how the author was trying to immerse us in the story.
this also felt like a journey through significant political events in Malaysia's recent history. empowering to believe that there is hope for our country to improve!
nitpick: it would have been a much better experience for the audiobook if the reader was Malaysian / got the pronunciation for lots of things correct. otherwise it makes it really hard to understand when I do have some context
November 13, 2023
a must read for malaysians! this is a non fiction and honestly this may really change my perspective on nonfiction because of how much i enjoyed it! not just the way how each chapter is told, but the way and depth the analysis and research that go into each little “case study” makes this read so insightful and well-wrapped up 🤍
this is a tale about ordinary heroes, the underdogs, the easily overlooked people, that ended up making a huge impact in malaysian history! i loved all the heroes covered in the book, no spoilers get your copy! 😼
it is so worth it though, every malaysian needs to have this on their shelves! the tea — LET ME JUST GIVE A PREVIEW, SOME 1MDB TEA IS IN HERE 😤🤓 like honestly some issues here, i have heard of them on news, my memory vaguely remembers them happening in the past, but james’ storytelling is just connected all the dots for me. like wait— so this was THAT!!
even if you are familiar with these heroes and know their stories, james goes deep and right into the core with his analysis and research on why and how these heroes succeed, the perspectives on how he looks at things are really what sells the book for me! he offers unique insights, and it honestly makes so much sense and i learnt A LOT from reading this! i devoured this in a week, highly recommend this read for sure! ✨
it is also inspiring and motivational, as it dissects and discusses how these people succeed, but also offering advice on how these are all applicable to all of us ordinary humans, if only you take one step forward wanting to do better, you are already more than halfway there. ✨ there are also easy bite sizes key takeaways for each chapter, which should be a must for all nonfiction books at this point, it genuinely is so helpful especially for beginners venturing into the genre!
overall, honestly read it for yourself!! 🥹😭 you will seriously have this lightbulb revelation moment and realise that we all can be heroes! and i really thank james for this read, otherwise i would probably skip out on a fave read of the year! 😭 5 shiny stars for this read!
this is a tale about ordinary heroes, the underdogs, the easily overlooked people, that ended up making a huge impact in malaysian history! i loved all the heroes covered in the book, no spoilers get your copy! 😼
it is so worth it though, every malaysian needs to have this on their shelves! the tea — LET ME JUST GIVE A PREVIEW, SOME 1MDB TEA IS IN HERE 😤🤓 like honestly some issues here, i have heard of them on news, my memory vaguely remembers them happening in the past, but james’ storytelling is just connected all the dots for me. like wait— so this was THAT!!
even if you are familiar with these heroes and know their stories, james goes deep and right into the core with his analysis and research on why and how these heroes succeed, the perspectives on how he looks at things are really what sells the book for me! he offers unique insights, and it honestly makes so much sense and i learnt A LOT from reading this! i devoured this in a week, highly recommend this read for sure! ✨
it is also inspiring and motivational, as it dissects and discusses how these people succeed, but also offering advice on how these are all applicable to all of us ordinary humans, if only you take one step forward wanting to do better, you are already more than halfway there. ✨ there are also easy bite sizes key takeaways for each chapter, which should be a must for all nonfiction books at this point, it genuinely is so helpful especially for beginners venturing into the genre!
overall, honestly read it for yourself!! 🥹😭 you will seriously have this lightbulb revelation moment and realise that we all can be heroes! and i really thank james for this read, otherwise i would probably skip out on a fave read of the year! 😭 5 shiny stars for this read!
April 7, 2024
My first read of 2024. Sang Kancil weaves together seven ordinary Malaysian stories through narrated storytelling and evidence-backed theories. These underdog tales inspire resilience and determination, emphasising impactful changes made by seemingly ordinary lives. The writing keeps readers engaged and the stories make it emotionally resonant. As a kickoff to the year, this is a book read at the right time for reflection on personal aspirations and transformative power of our ordinary stories.
January 14, 2024
I teared up several times as some chapters are devastating stories. I’ve known superficially about the downsides of building a hydroelectric plant and dangers of challenging hierarchy in a feudalistic society but having a vivid illustration of individuals who experience them on the ground makes my gut wrench.
This book is about stories of how underdogs overcame challenges and perceptions and succeeded in making great impact to communities. The characters and stories demonstrate the power of humility, quiet anger, weak ties, and the benefits of being overlooked and invisible from power. I wish I’d read more stories that show these values that reinforce Susan Cain’s advocacy of the power of the quiets.
**Spoilers alert**
1) Forcing indigenous communities out of and drowning their ancestral lands where their ancestors are buried (their ancestors ‘died a second time’), drowning hundreds of precious flora and fauna species in large acres of forests, with the reason of pursuing economic objectives that are undermining (underutilised energy produced from existing hydroelectric plants) sound absurd and dehumanising, and I feel sorry and relieved at the same time that the indigenous communities really fought hard persistently to educate themselves, build blockades, get others to support them in protecting their homes, and succeeded in their efforts (the power of weak ties). These were led by Peter Kallang, a 70-yo retired man who ‘had nothing to do’ so was appointed to do the lobbying against the state and giant corporations to preserve his community.
2) Challenging powerful political authorities would invite life threats and I’d always wondered how Fahmi Reza is still alive producing provocative art pieces. Turns out he is no exception to the dark ruling of police and cell officials. Despite being a beneficiary of the government’s double-standard development policy and despite the hardships he’s faced being the outcast who doesn’t just pursue the ordinary like getting a stable job, he still sticks to his core values and punk style to make art and design posters for altruistic purposes with very little income in return.
3) Nor Salwani’s cool-mindedness in responding to a disruption in a meeting helped her to gather the most important legal evidence to win in the 1MDB scandal (one of the related cases). Had she been more vocal and confrontational and had she not waited for years until the case was open, she (and her whole team) would have been targeted and I could not imagine the fate of the ordinary civil servants then. Her story highlights the power of the invisible and how sometimes it’s really the ordinary people beyond the limelight that could get things done. Figures like her are whom I admire most as they are the people close to my heart.
4) The weaknesses of the state were also apparent in their flood adaptation and mitigation measures. It was really the civil society (gurdwara) that gathered volunteers and give them full autonomy to quickly receive, repack, and distribute donations/food packs/cleaning items from the public to the flood victims. Efforts were also extended to rural areas of dispersed neighbourhoods, where the state did not go, long after the rain stopped (Dec 2021).
5) Dr Serena Nik-Zainal (Nobel prize winner in cancer research, also a working mother), accounted her experience in academic bullying in the most prestigious cancer research institution, and attracted many other researchers like her to voice out as well.
6) Aunty Bersih’s story is about how authoritative figures did not want to prosecute her in rallies due to her old age, and she used her age and frail body as an advantage to continue her activism and in gaining public support to speak up against corrupted behaviours. An interesting study (by Harvard professor Erica Chenoworth) that comes with this story is the statistics of population involvement in overthrowing an authoritarian regime. If 1% of the population turns out in a public protest, then there’s a 50% chance of overthrowing a regime. If more than 3.5% show up, then the overthrow is close to certain.
7) Finally, Marcus Yam is a Pulitzer Prize-winning war photographer who had more fails than passes in his school subjects. He shoots in disaster scenes like the Californian fires, Oso landslide, and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Gaza strip, all of which are critically dangerous venues. The Taliban rule of Afghanistan was abrupt and he ran INTO the conflict when all international journalists fled the country. He captured ceremonies with ten dead family members, crowds who rushed into airplanes in Kabul airport with everything they could bring in their hands, underground ladies who play music and learn beyond the public sight, and slept in tents with victims and war civilians. It’s no surprise he has PTSD and takes months to recuperate when he works in near-death situations to capture the rawest on-site still photos.
This book is about stories of how underdogs overcame challenges and perceptions and succeeded in making great impact to communities. The characters and stories demonstrate the power of humility, quiet anger, weak ties, and the benefits of being overlooked and invisible from power. I wish I’d read more stories that show these values that reinforce Susan Cain’s advocacy of the power of the quiets.
**Spoilers alert**
1) Forcing indigenous communities out of and drowning their ancestral lands where their ancestors are buried (their ancestors ‘died a second time’), drowning hundreds of precious flora and fauna species in large acres of forests, with the reason of pursuing economic objectives that are undermining (underutilised energy produced from existing hydroelectric plants) sound absurd and dehumanising, and I feel sorry and relieved at the same time that the indigenous communities really fought hard persistently to educate themselves, build blockades, get others to support them in protecting their homes, and succeeded in their efforts (the power of weak ties). These were led by Peter Kallang, a 70-yo retired man who ‘had nothing to do’ so was appointed to do the lobbying against the state and giant corporations to preserve his community.
2) Challenging powerful political authorities would invite life threats and I’d always wondered how Fahmi Reza is still alive producing provocative art pieces. Turns out he is no exception to the dark ruling of police and cell officials. Despite being a beneficiary of the government’s double-standard development policy and despite the hardships he’s faced being the outcast who doesn’t just pursue the ordinary like getting a stable job, he still sticks to his core values and punk style to make art and design posters for altruistic purposes with very little income in return.
3) Nor Salwani’s cool-mindedness in responding to a disruption in a meeting helped her to gather the most important legal evidence to win in the 1MDB scandal (one of the related cases). Had she been more vocal and confrontational and had she not waited for years until the case was open, she (and her whole team) would have been targeted and I could not imagine the fate of the ordinary civil servants then. Her story highlights the power of the invisible and how sometimes it’s really the ordinary people beyond the limelight that could get things done. Figures like her are whom I admire most as they are the people close to my heart.
4) The weaknesses of the state were also apparent in their flood adaptation and mitigation measures. It was really the civil society (gurdwara) that gathered volunteers and give them full autonomy to quickly receive, repack, and distribute donations/food packs/cleaning items from the public to the flood victims. Efforts were also extended to rural areas of dispersed neighbourhoods, where the state did not go, long after the rain stopped (Dec 2021).
5) Dr Serena Nik-Zainal (Nobel prize winner in cancer research, also a working mother), accounted her experience in academic bullying in the most prestigious cancer research institution, and attracted many other researchers like her to voice out as well.
6) Aunty Bersih’s story is about how authoritative figures did not want to prosecute her in rallies due to her old age, and she used her age and frail body as an advantage to continue her activism and in gaining public support to speak up against corrupted behaviours. An interesting study (by Harvard professor Erica Chenoworth) that comes with this story is the statistics of population involvement in overthrowing an authoritarian regime. If 1% of the population turns out in a public protest, then there’s a 50% chance of overthrowing a regime. If more than 3.5% show up, then the overthrow is close to certain.
7) Finally, Marcus Yam is a Pulitzer Prize-winning war photographer who had more fails than passes in his school subjects. He shoots in disaster scenes like the Californian fires, Oso landslide, and wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Gaza strip, all of which are critically dangerous venues. The Taliban rule of Afghanistan was abrupt and he ran INTO the conflict when all international journalists fled the country. He captured ceremonies with ten dead family members, crowds who rushed into airplanes in Kabul airport with everything they could bring in their hands, underground ladies who play music and learn beyond the public sight, and slept in tents with victims and war civilians. It’s no surprise he has PTSD and takes months to recuperate when he works in near-death situations to capture the rawest on-site still photos.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2024
This book is for all Malaysians, for those who wants to know Malaysians, and for those who still root for the goodness of humanity.
I wouldn’t say all the stories here are ordinary Malaysians, because the things and tasks they take on are extraordinary; some are privileged some are just from humble background. But what they all do have common is a sense of stubbornness, that the overall good of humanity comes above all.
I wouldn’t say all the stories here are ordinary Malaysians, because the things and tasks they take on are extraordinary; some are privileged some are just from humble background. But what they all do have common is a sense of stubbornness, that the overall good of humanity comes above all.
November 5, 2023
Brilliant story telling - capturing the courageous true stories of 7 Malaysian "underdogs" who challenged norms, authorities and stood up for what was right. Impressive level of detail, interlaced with studies and statistics - a very enjoyable and inspiring read! Highly recommended!
November 10, 2023
A heartwarming non-fiction. This eloquently crafted narrative delves into the compelling stories of Malaysian underdogs, skillfully supported by a wealth of evidences, references, and insightful learning points. Must read book for all Malaysians.
December 27, 2023
Well researched and written eloquently. Story flows smoothly and is peppered with information based on international scientific studies, experiments and findings of experts in their relative fields. All this tied back to each of the ordinary Malaysian featured in the book.
December 10, 2024
In each chapter, the author highlights how an ordinary citizen made a difference in his or her community. As I read these stories, I gained insights into Malaysia's history, culture, and ethnic groups through a variety of personal perspectives.
September 18, 2025
A must-read for all Malaysians. Didn’t think I would feel so many feelings from reading this, but it tugged my heart in many directions with its impactful stories of ordinary Malaysians who have done the extraordinary.
November 3, 2023
Beautifully written. A must-read for Malaysian.
July 27, 2024
A few of the stories got me pretty emotional.
The book is well written and a joy to read.
It is both entertaining and informative and maintains a light tone throughout. Very readable
The book is well written and a joy to read.
It is both entertaining and informative and maintains a light tone throughout. Very readable
January 31, 2025
I really like how the author put all 7 stories of the real “underdogs” for Malaysians especially to relate to. All of them are tied under a theme that is well explained.
June 12, 2025
it’s definitely alot to take in but the book has definitely benefited me and made me much more curious
April 10, 2025
4.5/10
Sang Kancil is a pleasant collection of short stories highlighting the trials and achievements of unsung heroes from Malaysia. Sadly, the book is marred by a senseless need to strip the stories of its nuances and extract overly prescriptive moral lessons.
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What I liked:
I would highly recommend this book for Malaysians and anyone interested in gaining insight into Malaysia's sociopolitical landscape. It addresses a wide range of contentious issues still relevant today, from widely discussed topics like corruption to lesser-known issues such as ecological degradation in East Malaysia. Each of the seven stories offers a unique perspective, representing diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and individuals facing their greatest trials on their own terms.
What I disliked:
While some chapters in the book are engaging and well-structured, offering insightful anecdotes and a smooth narrative flow, others fall short, seeming to abruptly climax and struggle to maintain coherence. Additionally, certain chapters, particularly Fahmi Reza's (given its focus on political art), could benefit from more illustrative diagrams.
However, my primary concern with this book lies in its overall structure, it might have been better off solely as an anthology rather than having elements of a self-help book peppered throughout. The author's frequent inclusion of academic quotes after each interviewee's story often feels forced and lacks convincing integration. Instead of enriching the narrative, these quotes sometimes come across as manipulative, lending an unwarranted veneer of legitimacy to the author's own arguments. The author's interpretations of these sources often feel underdeveloped, relying on false equivalencies and expecting readers to unquestioningly adopt his conclusions. As a result, distinguishing between the author's words and the cited sources becomes increasingly challenging, leading to a sense of frustration and disengagement, particularly in the latter half of each chapter.
Sang Kancil is a pleasant collection of short stories highlighting the trials and achievements of unsung heroes from Malaysia. Sadly, the book is marred by a senseless need to strip the stories of its nuances and extract overly prescriptive moral lessons.
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What I liked:
I would highly recommend this book for Malaysians and anyone interested in gaining insight into Malaysia's sociopolitical landscape. It addresses a wide range of contentious issues still relevant today, from widely discussed topics like corruption to lesser-known issues such as ecological degradation in East Malaysia. Each of the seven stories offers a unique perspective, representing diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and individuals facing their greatest trials on their own terms.
What I disliked:
While some chapters in the book are engaging and well-structured, offering insightful anecdotes and a smooth narrative flow, others fall short, seeming to abruptly climax and struggle to maintain coherence. Additionally, certain chapters, particularly Fahmi Reza's (given its focus on political art), could benefit from more illustrative diagrams.
However, my primary concern with this book lies in its overall structure, it might have been better off solely as an anthology rather than having elements of a self-help book peppered throughout. The author's frequent inclusion of academic quotes after each interviewee's story often feels forced and lacks convincing integration. Instead of enriching the narrative, these quotes sometimes come across as manipulative, lending an unwarranted veneer of legitimacy to the author's own arguments. The author's interpretations of these sources often feel underdeveloped, relying on false equivalencies and expecting readers to unquestioningly adopt his conclusions. As a result, distinguishing between the author's words and the cited sources becomes increasingly challenging, leading to a sense of frustration and disengagement, particularly in the latter half of each chapter.
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