A Short History of Malaysia: Linking East and West

A Short History of Asia

by Virginia Matheson Hooker

One of the last British colonies to achieve independence, Malaysia has been developed by its leaders as a model of rapid modernisation. From an earlier image as a romantic tropical backwater, it is now a self-conscious, rapidly developing, hi-tech nation-state stretching from Thailand to the sea boundaries of the Philippines. But the past remains a crucial part of Malaysia's present.In this concise history, Virginia Matheson Hooker takes the lives of individuals as examples of their times and describes how the peoples of Malaysia became masters of their extremely varied environments - not only by exploiting the rich natural advantages, but by linking into the complex patterns of trade in the region. Many of the skills of diplomacy, alliance and adaptation Malaysians developed over the centuries are used today as the country embraces globalisation while still participating in international life in distinctly Malaysian ways.From the origins of its aboriginal peoples, through the years of Western domination to the forceful culture politics of Dr Mahathir, this is a lively and very informative account of Malaysia's past and the major trends in its contemporary political life and the challenges it faces in the 21st century.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2003

About the author

Virginia Matheson Hooker is Professor Emeritus and Fellow in the Dept of Political & Social Change, College of Asia and the Pacific, at The Australian National University. She retired as Professor of Indonesian and Malay in the Faculty of Asian Studies, the Australian National University in January 2007. Her research has focussed on Islam in Southeast Asia, literature and social change in Malaysia and Indonesia, and Indonesian political culture. Her most recent book, co-edited with Dr Greg Fealy, is an award-winning sourcebook on contemporary Islam in Southeast Asia.

Reviews

[Jay Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I knew nothing about Malaysia, I picked this book and the next from my local Goodwill. It was written in 2002, but it gives you a good primer for Malaysia today. Interesting way of doing the ancient history. She takes us on a walk through the National Museum. Actually, not a bad idea. I really wonder what the harmful effects of colonialism were, but apparently it played well with early Nationalists. The book if it shines in the post freedom a period beginning in 1962. Of course, I did a little update and the changes in the last 20 years is significant. Decent book, but out of date. Always remember, it is a short history.

[Brenda Clough · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonably complete summary, nothing exciting.

[Gregg Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in preparation for an upcoming visit to Malaysia. A very good overview of the areas that became Malaysia from ancient times till the early 2000s. A good mix of discussion on influences on development like geography, regional pressures, and effects of emerging global markets. I really enjoyed the chapters on Melaka, Johor, and the Portuguese and British eras. The later chapters focused largely on political parties and were less engaging, but to be fair I tend to feel like that with many history books.

Overall I recommend this book and the series for those interested in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

good easy read giving a lil overview of malaysia till 2002. the pre-british history was an interesting read for me, never read about most of it

[Daniel Chaikin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another OK history. The book has an interesting set up. It gives a brief history as presented in a Malaysian museum, then says how the book will show what was not covered, presumably on purpose, in this official history. But, it doesn't follow this up other than a few comments early on and then again on the second or third from last page. That was unfortunate.

Modern history is different here, in this 2003 publication, than it was in the 1989 publication I read previously. Modern Malaysia is a balance of Malay, Chinese and Indian populations that don't mix. The Orang Asli, or original peoples, are largely overlooked. In 1969 there was huge riot in Kuala Lumpur, and fighting between Malays and Chinese. Much Malaysian policy since is a response to this event. Malays, who are the poorest, have more political power, and state support is unequal in an effort to get Malays better off economically and make the country more balanced. Other ethnic groups go along with this, with some resentment. The older book gives a strong sense of Malaysia's success in making all this work. This book shows that this success is purely economic. That politically the central government is heavy handed to repress any incendiary public discussion or criticism. It leaves the reader wondering what might happen if the balled up tensions get suddenly released.

[Zayn Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward introduction to Malaysian history; key individuals, important dates, broadest themes. It feels comparable in depth to what I remember of high school US History class. A good preparation for further reading, I hope.

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Who knew a "short" history could drag so much! I eventually had to give up ... pretty inaccessible.

[Jordan Magnuson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tad dry...

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best overview from this series that I've read so far. Well-structured so that it's easy to follow, even if some parts get a bit tedious (maybe that's just my feeling about history in general).