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The End of the Nineteen-Nineties
When Malaysia won the Thomas Cup in 1992, the whole nation celebrated as one. And for most of that decade, we did seem to have reasons to We had a national car, a national goal in the form of Wawasan 2020, and the future seemed as bright as KLCC lights.
The economist Hafiz Noor Shams belongs to that generation that sang the Wawasan 2020 song in school assemblies. And he What has happened to us since then?
The End of the Nineteen-Nineties places the decade within the context of our pre-colonial and post-colonial history, underscoring that brief, bright spark of optimism in the Malaysian journey. It also mourns the apparent collapse of the incipient Bangsa Malaysia ideal, which has since given way to ethnocentric silos.
In weaving together personal, national and global events to contextualize and understand tensions that exist within Malaysian society, he Do we still have a chance?
The economist Hafiz Noor Shams belongs to that generation that sang the Wawasan 2020 song in school assemblies. And he What has happened to us since then?
The End of the Nineteen-Nineties places the decade within the context of our pre-colonial and post-colonial history, underscoring that brief, bright spark of optimism in the Malaysian journey. It also mourns the apparent collapse of the incipient Bangsa Malaysia ideal, which has since given way to ethnocentric silos.
In weaving together personal, national and global events to contextualize and understand tensions that exist within Malaysian society, he Do we still have a chance?
- GenresHistory
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 30, 2024
I picked up the book because I wanted to know what about the end of the nineteen-nineties that warrants a long discourse. And I wasn't let down. This was an interesting read.
Hafiz Noor Shams started by discussing what is a Malay. According to his understanding, according to our colonizers, according to those who ruled/in the governance sphere, and according to the general public.
My curiosity of Melayu Bugis, for example, (like how they're both Melayu and Bugis at the same time?) was fixed. Same as masuk Melayu (to me, you can masuk Islam and retain your birth ethnicity, why the term masuk Melayu though?)
He walked us through what everyone in the governing positions did post independence, what everyone went through (he focused on the Malays - their fears, hopes, and worries), what newly established Malaysia was going through, and the promises made, forgotten, or broken since. The ideal Malaysia through Malaysiannes, through Bangsa Malaysia. Inclusiveness. And trust.
I love the way he presented the views through the lense of an economist. I learned new things, like how the Yen became stronger in the first place. Like how the Malaysia economy has been been faring since then till now.
I'm also with him on the economic pie discussion and it's relation to everyone being less touchy, more happy disposition. As a Malaysian who didn't have anywhere else to call home but Malaysia, I hope we'll get to the Malaysiannes as it was originally envisioned.
Hafiz Noor Shams started by discussing what is a Malay. According to his understanding, according to our colonizers, according to those who ruled/in the governance sphere, and according to the general public.
My curiosity of Melayu Bugis, for example, (like how they're both Melayu and Bugis at the same time?) was fixed. Same as masuk Melayu (to me, you can masuk Islam and retain your birth ethnicity, why the term masuk Melayu though?)
He walked us through what everyone in the governing positions did post independence, what everyone went through (he focused on the Malays - their fears, hopes, and worries), what newly established Malaysia was going through, and the promises made, forgotten, or broken since. The ideal Malaysia through Malaysiannes, through Bangsa Malaysia. Inclusiveness. And trust.
I love the way he presented the views through the lense of an economist. I learned new things, like how the Yen became stronger in the first place. Like how the Malaysia economy has been been faring since then till now.
I'm also with him on the economic pie discussion and it's relation to everyone being less touchy, more happy disposition. As a Malaysian who didn't have anywhere else to call home but Malaysia, I hope we'll get to the Malaysiannes as it was originally envisioned.
March 17, 2025
The end of the nineteen-nighty started with the author questioning about his origin and how he viewed his country (not just in the 90s). The author touched a lot about Malay and Malaysianness, and how the concept of Malaysianness in Bangsa Malaysia was introduced initally but failed miserably by the same people who initiated it.
When I first picked up the book, I thought it was about whatever happened in Malaysia circa 1990s. Rather, it told us how Malaysia had at one point of its post independence had made a step forward, only to reverse everything 10x over after that. The author didn’t only told his point of view of the 90s but years before and after that.
Despite it all, I enjoyed reading the book so much I find myself searching for similar books!
When I first picked up the book, I thought it was about whatever happened in Malaysia circa 1990s. Rather, it told us how Malaysia had at one point of its post independence had made a step forward, only to reverse everything 10x over after that. The author didn’t only told his point of view of the 90s but years before and after that.
Despite it all, I enjoyed reading the book so much I find myself searching for similar books!
April 7, 2024
"The End of the Nineteen-Nineties" is a nuanced exploration of contrasting national identities between Malayness and Malaysianness. It argues that millennials may embody the ideal of Bangsa Malaysia most, drawing on historical and political contexts. However, as someone growing up in Ipoh and Kuala Kangsar, the book led me to question if Bangsa Malaysia is only accessible to the urban middle-income class. To me, beneath the veneer of past glories is a troubling reality of increasing intra-racial inequalities and systemic discrimination against outgroup races. This reflection prompted me to ponder if we have been tackling class problems with solutions for race problems in the past. After all, perhaps underlying the debate of Malayness versus Malaysianness are inequalities wrapped in our cultural, racial, and religious differences.
February 11, 2024
A very well written book. As someone who grew up in the 90s,all the events cited in the book resonate well with me. Recommended read especially to those who lived through Setia/Wawasan 2020 experience.
December 29, 2024
The pivotal wow factor of this book (for me) was when Hafiz Noor Shams wrote the history of what it is to be Malay and how it has evolved to the point that perhaps every Malaysian can be Malay(?). His writing and tone are straightforward news-like of high quality mixed with fiction-like descriptive writing here and there.
I appreciate he avoided academic-like writing and language. Plus, the honesty he expresses in the book captivated my attention to read till the end. I especially enjoyed the conclusion where he did not dare to predict where Malaysia is heading in socioeconomic terms; instead, he raised questions and made me sympathise more with the optimistic Malaysians as well as the pessimistic ones.
A 4/5 because I wished there were more stories of other races. A counterpoint to this would be, historically, Malays have always been prioritised by and hog the political and social limelight of Malay Peninsula, Malayan Union, Malaya and Malaysia. Hence, naturally, this history book would have Malay-centric stories to tell. I would recommend every Malaysian to read this book.
I appreciate he avoided academic-like writing and language. Plus, the honesty he expresses in the book captivated my attention to read till the end. I especially enjoyed the conclusion where he did not dare to predict where Malaysia is heading in socioeconomic terms; instead, he raised questions and made me sympathise more with the optimistic Malaysians as well as the pessimistic ones.
A 4/5 because I wished there were more stories of other races. A counterpoint to this would be, historically, Malays have always been prioritised by and hog the political and social limelight of Malay Peninsula, Malayan Union, Malaya and Malaysia. Hence, naturally, this history book would have Malay-centric stories to tell. I would recommend every Malaysian to read this book.
January 19, 2024
Although its title is about the end of the 1990s, this book also told the story of the decades leading up to it, including the colonial and the early post-Merdeka years. As such, it gave a proper context on why the 1990s was seen as perhaps the best decade in Malaysia's history especially in terms of economic growth, giving prominence to the identity of 'Malaysianness'. I liked the discussion by the author on the types of Malay based on the concepts of 'Malayness' as defined by Benedict Anderson and Anthony Milner, as well as the author's defining the concept of the Platonic Malay based on Plato's simile of the cave.
February 22, 2024
The End of The Nineteen Nineties
by Hafiz Noor Shams
Published by Matahari Books
Goodread's Rating: 4.55/5
My Rating: 5/5
"He won and became the youngest lawmaker in the country that year. UMNO and BN lost control over the Selangor state assembly for the first time in history. There were many firsts that day. In Titiwangsa where I voted, UMNO lost for the first time too.
"I can't believe I am living through this," I excitedly said to a Tamil man standing next to me. He was likely in his 50s. I, in my 20s.
He smiled. "I waited decades for this." He wanted change, and this was it.
I wonder how that man feels now. I wonder how he feels about 2018, about 2020, or even about 2022, when big political compromises were made. I wonder if he believes changing Malaysia is necessarily a slow process, or an exercise certain to disappoint."
I was graciously provided with this book in exchange for an earnest critique. Hailing from Subang Jaya, I discern resonances and affinities within the author's thought-provoking exploration of socio-political-economic backgrounds. The book's lucid prose, complemented by meticulous editing from the publisher's end, renders it highly accessible and an easy read. I unequivocally endorse this book for every layers of society, especially Zennials (those born in the early 1990s, bridging Millennials and Gen Xs), Generation Z, and Generation Alpha aficionados.
"We had a roadmap and it seemed clear enough. Follow this road called Malaysia and you will own a home, get a car, a scholarship, a good job, a comfortable life. Just persevere and all the promises will be fulfilled. How could one not feel Malaysian and believe in Malaysianness in that era when to be successful meant to be a Malaysian? Oh, the 1990s and its promises... Was I too foolish to believe those Malaysian promises? Were we?"
"The general Malay way of life was preserved so much that the Malay masses were wholly ignorant of the Malayan political reality: that their rulers, particularly those of the Federated Malay States, had been reduced to figureheads. The British were so dogged in preserving the rural outlook of the Malays that whatever education provided to the masses only served to make the latter better farmers and fishermen. The colonial authority was not keen on having the Malay masses joining modern industries, which secular education would encourage, fearing it would create unrest - or worse, spark stronger anti-colonial sentiments. Meanwhile, a good portion of those belonging to other Asian communities gained access to English education that opened economic opportunities in the cities well beyond what the kampung men and women could imagine..."
P/S: Thank you very much, Fixi !
#MalaysiaMembaca
by Hafiz Noor Shams
Published by Matahari Books
Goodread's Rating: 4.55/5
My Rating: 5/5
"He won and became the youngest lawmaker in the country that year. UMNO and BN lost control over the Selangor state assembly for the first time in history. There were many firsts that day. In Titiwangsa where I voted, UMNO lost for the first time too.
"I can't believe I am living through this," I excitedly said to a Tamil man standing next to me. He was likely in his 50s. I, in my 20s.
He smiled. "I waited decades for this." He wanted change, and this was it.
I wonder how that man feels now. I wonder how he feels about 2018, about 2020, or even about 2022, when big political compromises were made. I wonder if he believes changing Malaysia is necessarily a slow process, or an exercise certain to disappoint."
I was graciously provided with this book in exchange for an earnest critique. Hailing from Subang Jaya, I discern resonances and affinities within the author's thought-provoking exploration of socio-political-economic backgrounds. The book's lucid prose, complemented by meticulous editing from the publisher's end, renders it highly accessible and an easy read. I unequivocally endorse this book for every layers of society, especially Zennials (those born in the early 1990s, bridging Millennials and Gen Xs), Generation Z, and Generation Alpha aficionados.
"We had a roadmap and it seemed clear enough. Follow this road called Malaysia and you will own a home, get a car, a scholarship, a good job, a comfortable life. Just persevere and all the promises will be fulfilled. How could one not feel Malaysian and believe in Malaysianness in that era when to be successful meant to be a Malaysian? Oh, the 1990s and its promises... Was I too foolish to believe those Malaysian promises? Were we?"
"The general Malay way of life was preserved so much that the Malay masses were wholly ignorant of the Malayan political reality: that their rulers, particularly those of the Federated Malay States, had been reduced to figureheads. The British were so dogged in preserving the rural outlook of the Malays that whatever education provided to the masses only served to make the latter better farmers and fishermen. The colonial authority was not keen on having the Malay masses joining modern industries, which secular education would encourage, fearing it would create unrest - or worse, spark stronger anti-colonial sentiments. Meanwhile, a good portion of those belonging to other Asian communities gained access to English education that opened economic opportunities in the cities well beyond what the kampung men and women could imagine..."
P/S: Thank you very much, Fixi !
#MalaysiaMembaca
February 22, 2024
Malayness versus Malaysianness.
This memoir elegantly illustrates the lingering contestation of two strands of nationalism in the country – Malaysianness versus Malayness. One appears to be waning; while the other, winning.
The author recalls his years of growing up in the heart of Kuala Lumpur onwards, and how he was a firm believer of the coming triumph of Malaysianness, when race and creed no longer feature as necessary identity markers in a multiracial Malaysia.
For millennials, this book provides a reminder of the joy of growing up in Malaysia in the 1990s, when all seemed possible and nothing seemed impossible (Malaysia Boleh!).
This is the age when Proton cars were exported to London, when Malaysia won Commonwealth gold medals, and record-setting skyscrapers transformed the Kuala Lumpur landscape.
More importantly, this was the era where a Bangsa Malaysia seemed not only possible, but inevitable.
For history lovers, this book gracefully visits the theoretical discussion of the Malay race and its evolution. For example, the author cites Anthony Milner’s argument that for one to be a Malay at a point of time, one needs to be a subject of a ruler, among other things.
Of course, such thought seems irrelevant today with the codification of the Malay race in the Malaysian constitution. Yet, with the political winds shifting visibly, has the term really evolved much?
Readers will be left asking one simple question. What will the Malaysia of the next decades be? In the author’s words, will the dream of the ninety-nineties return? Or will it remain an elusive dream?
Overall, this is an enjoyable read with readers (especially millennials) being fed by a romantic Malaysia they grew up in. And wishing that the coming years may also one day serve as a sweet nostalgia for the next generation.
This memoir elegantly illustrates the lingering contestation of two strands of nationalism in the country – Malaysianness versus Malayness. One appears to be waning; while the other, winning.
The author recalls his years of growing up in the heart of Kuala Lumpur onwards, and how he was a firm believer of the coming triumph of Malaysianness, when race and creed no longer feature as necessary identity markers in a multiracial Malaysia.
For millennials, this book provides a reminder of the joy of growing up in Malaysia in the 1990s, when all seemed possible and nothing seemed impossible (Malaysia Boleh!).
This is the age when Proton cars were exported to London, when Malaysia won Commonwealth gold medals, and record-setting skyscrapers transformed the Kuala Lumpur landscape.
More importantly, this was the era where a Bangsa Malaysia seemed not only possible, but inevitable.
For history lovers, this book gracefully visits the theoretical discussion of the Malay race and its evolution. For example, the author cites Anthony Milner’s argument that for one to be a Malay at a point of time, one needs to be a subject of a ruler, among other things.
Of course, such thought seems irrelevant today with the codification of the Malay race in the Malaysian constitution. Yet, with the political winds shifting visibly, has the term really evolved much?
Readers will be left asking one simple question. What will the Malaysia of the next decades be? In the author’s words, will the dream of the ninety-nineties return? Or will it remain an elusive dream?
Overall, this is an enjoyable read with readers (especially millennials) being fed by a romantic Malaysia they grew up in. And wishing that the coming years may also one day serve as a sweet nostalgia for the next generation.
April 19, 2025
yea this was fire
by the end of part 1 i was a bit disappointed that in a book meant to centre around 'malaysian-ness,' there's really hardly any analysis of the relationship that chinese and indians (again, this is another malaya-centric book, sorry borneo) have had with a malayan and later malaysian identity. i think this omission was probably intentional considering the way this book was written - the analysis is grounded in this semi-autobiographical style, and the author is malay.
this book did an excellent job at drawing out my own personal conflicts with a very complicated 'malay' identity, making me consider (again) this sensation of constantly being an outsider in a country that's arranged to my benefit
many observations about alienation were VERY relatable, often a bit TOO real!! throughout the book i found myself sharing brother's sentiments very strongly (to no small part because there are some important overlapping experiences), with the important difference that i grew up in the 00s and 10s, so i never experienced this great period of confidence in malaysian-ness that hafiz had growing up in the 90s.
im sceptical about the possibility of a truly cosmopolitan malaysia. recent news being overrun by spats over temple relocations while we're probs headed for another financial crash & global recession raises serious alarms. if the analysis of this book holds its weight, economic uncertainty in time to come is only going to amplify racial tensions and threaten any hope of unity - its not looking good out here!!
by the end of part 1 i was a bit disappointed that in a book meant to centre around 'malaysian-ness,' there's really hardly any analysis of the relationship that chinese and indians (again, this is another malaya-centric book, sorry borneo) have had with a malayan and later malaysian identity. i think this omission was probably intentional considering the way this book was written - the analysis is grounded in this semi-autobiographical style, and the author is malay.
this book did an excellent job at drawing out my own personal conflicts with a very complicated 'malay' identity, making me consider (again) this sensation of constantly being an outsider in a country that's arranged to my benefit
many observations about alienation were VERY relatable, often a bit TOO real!! throughout the book i found myself sharing brother's sentiments very strongly (to no small part because there are some important overlapping experiences), with the important difference that i grew up in the 00s and 10s, so i never experienced this great period of confidence in malaysian-ness that hafiz had growing up in the 90s.
im sceptical about the possibility of a truly cosmopolitan malaysia. recent news being overrun by spats over temple relocations while we're probs headed for another financial crash & global recession raises serious alarms. if the analysis of this book holds its weight, economic uncertainty in time to come is only going to amplify racial tensions and threaten any hope of unity - its not looking good out here!!
January 26, 2025
The End of the Nineteen-Nineties – an eye-opening read on why we’re still far from the ideal concept of Malaysianness. It’s a great time capsule that helps us understand why Malaysia was the way it was back then and why it still is today. It offers a glimpse into the impact of colonisation, nationalism, and the NEP leading up to the 90s, and how the rise of urban Malaysians shaped the golden 1990s, which a lot of us are still kind of hung up on. It also dives into how Mahathir built, destroyed, rebuilt, and demolished things over and over again.
I grew up with a lot of Whys. Like why some of my Malay peeps are the way they are, whether it's the conservatives or the more urban ones; why ketuanan Melayu is allowed to thrive, making it so clear that non-Malays are almost treated like second-class citizens; what happened in the 90s, and post-90s?
This book answered most of my decade-long questions, and if anything, it left me with a great sense of HAIHHH (a long, massive, dreading sense of realisation of why things are the way they are).
There's so much things to talk about this book. So so much.
I grew up with a lot of Whys. Like why some of my Malay peeps are the way they are, whether it's the conservatives or the more urban ones; why ketuanan Melayu is allowed to thrive, making it so clear that non-Malays are almost treated like second-class citizens; what happened in the 90s, and post-90s?
This book answered most of my decade-long questions, and if anything, it left me with a great sense of HAIHHH (a long, massive, dreading sense of realisation of why things are the way they are).
There's so much things to talk about this book. So so much.
April 26, 2025
A riveting contextualisation of the Malaysia we live in today. The first 12 chapters go into depth on all the notable events that shaped the Malaysian identity conflicts up to the pivotal moment PH won. Then the tone changes to give us some very interesting insider information on the Ministry of Finance's plans. I found myself becoming emotional alongside the author as he took us through his rising hope and then the loss of it, ending on a very bleak note that refreshed my own memories of disappointment when PH fell apart. I've mostly avoided paying attention to local politics lately but this book has awoken my curiosity once more. It's painful to keep seeing what appears to be losses for the Malaysian Malaysia cause, but if all advocates for it keep comfortable in our bubble how can anything get better?
June 12, 2024
This book has a unique blend of personal anecdotes and academia, and it covers a wide spectrum of Malaysian/Malayan history, dating precolonial days to the present (post Covid-19). I like his writing style: When it comes to narrating his experiences, Hafiz writes with honesty and without pretensions. When he is providing a sociological or historical overview of Malaysian history, he is consciously impartial and academic.
If history was taught like how Hafiz wrote this book, I would have been an A+ student many years ago. Highly recommended for Malaysians wanting to understand what happened to the Bangsa Malaysia dream.
If history was taught like how Hafiz wrote this book, I would have been an A+ student many years ago. Highly recommended for Malaysians wanting to understand what happened to the Bangsa Malaysia dream.
April 18, 2024
A sobering view of what it meant to be a Malaysian, looking through the lens that transcends race and religion.
One of the best insights and dreams of how a kid just wanted to grow up in a multiracial country and truly believed in that dream. Only to be dashed by how the whole political engine builds and crushes that dream from the start.
If only some things were different, the author brings me through a journey that I've always thought about in my mind.
One of the best insights and dreams of how a kid just wanted to grow up in a multiracial country and truly believed in that dream. Only to be dashed by how the whole political engine builds and crushes that dream from the start.
If only some things were different, the author brings me through a journey that I've always thought about in my mind.
August 22, 2024
It is an important step in the direction of understanding the Malay(sian) experience. Shams is a luminary worth reading. This book, I’m sure will stand the test of time longer than any Malaysian slogan the likes of ‘Wawasan 2020’ or ‘1 Malaysia’. It delves into the nature of such slogans and deconstructs them from a Malaysian lens.
February 16, 2024
“You prayed to Allah, praised the Prophet Muhammad and then you listened to the government. You listened to Umno. You listened to Mahathir Mohamad.”
I LOLed hard at that passage. Good 30mins reading material before I went to sleep.
I LOLed hard at that passage. Good 30mins reading material before I went to sleep.
March 8, 2024
As a 90s baby, I totally can relate. It kind of feels like our unity is regressing as a society. As a Muslim, Idk but the Islam that I know is never ethnocentric or have this "superiority complex". So the fact that I could feel the difference... but ofc, I blame the boomers for this.
January 17, 2024
The economist point of view.
December 19, 2024
Poignant and bittersweet to read as a fellow Malaysian, but an excellent read nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews