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Rethinking Ourselves: Justice, Reform and Ignorance in Postnormal Times
A groundbreaking exploration of justice, democracy and Islamophobia, inviting us to reconsider our assumptions and build a more equitable future.
Change has run amok! Technology advances by the minute, and much of what we think we know about the world fades in front of our eyes. How we are, how we know, how we live our daily lives--all shifting quicker than we can cope with.
Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's tenth Prime Minister, asks how we might rethink ourselves for these confusing, uncertain and volatile times, and shape fairer, more sustainable futures. Anwar's passion is rooted in he spent, in total, over a decade behind bars after three separate miscarriages of justice, from his days as a student activist to his time as Leader of the Opposition.
Alongside reflections on his time in prison are critical investigations into truth, justice, post-colonialism, Islamophobia, democracy and global order. Anwar assembles ideas from East and West, North and South, to explore how we can create a new inclusive synthesis for a good society and world. Vividly expressed, expertly dissected, this is a timely book for our turbulent age.
Change has run amok! Technology advances by the minute, and much of what we think we know about the world fades in front of our eyes. How we are, how we know, how we live our daily lives--all shifting quicker than we can cope with.
Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's tenth Prime Minister, asks how we might rethink ourselves for these confusing, uncertain and volatile times, and shape fairer, more sustainable futures. Anwar's passion is rooted in he spent, in total, over a decade behind bars after three separate miscarriages of justice, from his days as a student activist to his time as Leader of the Opposition.
Alongside reflections on his time in prison are critical investigations into truth, justice, post-colonialism, Islamophobia, democracy and global order. Anwar assembles ideas from East and West, North and South, to explore how we can create a new inclusive synthesis for a good society and world. Vividly expressed, expertly dissected, this is a timely book for our turbulent age.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2025
About the author
Anwar Ibrahim
23 books64 followersDato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim is Malaysia and leader of the reform oriented Opposition Coalition, Pakatan Rakyat.
Anwar was invited to join the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the ruling party, and the government in 1982, by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. His rise in the party and in the government was meteoric. He was elected in 1984, as Leader of UMNO Youth and in 1986, became a Vice-President of UMNO. He served as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1983; Minister of Agriculture in 1984; and Minister of Education in 1986, prior to his tenure as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the 90s.
Anwar Ibrahim was the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1993-1998. He also served as Minister of Finance, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1983; Minister of Agriculture in 1984; and Minister of Education in 1986. He was also Chairman of the Development Committee of World Bank and International Monetary Fund in 1998 and president of UNESCO’s General Conference. As a student leader he was the founder of Malaysia’s Muslim Youth Movement and has extensive experience working with Muslim political parties. From 1975 till 1982 he was representative for Asia Pacific of World Assembly of Muslim Youth under Sheikh Hassan Abdullah.
In 1988, Anwar Ibrahim became the second President of International Islamic University of Malaysia. The idea of the establishment of IIUM arose in the Congress of Malaya Islamic University which was organized by The National Organization of Islamic Students of Malaysia (PKPIM) in 1971. The then President of PKPIM was Anwar Ibrahim. This resolution urged the authority to upgrade the Islamic Malayan College. In 2010, Association of Muslim Social Scientist UK awarded it’s prestigious lifetime achievement award to Anwar Ibrahim in recognition of long and distinguished service in the field of politics and economic thought, the promotion of the cause of good governance and commitment to the principles of freedom, tolerance and justice.
Highly respected for his principled stance against corruption and his skillful management of the Malaysian economy during the turbulent period of its financial crisis, Anwar is also viewed as one of the forefathers of the Asian Renaissance and a leading proponent of greater cooperation among civilizations. He is an ardent supporter of democracy and is an authoritative voice in bridging the gap between East and West. As a public servant in Malaysia, Anwar was unrelenting in his campaign against corruption and has been committed to the ideals of empowerment, justice, and equity. He has stressed the need for internal reforms in order to reinforce civil and democratic institutions and to expand the democratic space.
Some of these themes, articulated in his book Menangani Perubahan (Managing Change) and Asian Renaissance. As acting Prime Minister in 1997, for example, he introduced Anti-Corruption Legislation which held public officials accountable for corrupt practices even after their departure from public service. His emphasis on social justice, poverty eradication, education and civil society has guided his career in government to the present.
He has lectured extensively around the world on governance and accountability, the relationship between Islam and democracy, the need for greater civilizational dialogue and contemporary politics in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. His articles and speeches on these subjects have been published widely in leading newspapers and journals around the world. He is respected internationally as a leader in interreligious dialogue and Muslim Christian relations and was one of the early signatories to the Common Word initiative. He has also held lecturing positions at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and St. Anthony’s College at Oxford University.
Anwar was invited to join the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the ruling party, and the government in 1982, by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. His rise in the party and in the government was meteoric. He was elected in 1984, as Leader of UMNO Youth and in 1986, became a Vice-President of UMNO. He served as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1983; Minister of Agriculture in 1984; and Minister of Education in 1986, prior to his tenure as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in the 90s.
Anwar Ibrahim was the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1993-1998. He also served as Minister of Finance, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1983; Minister of Agriculture in 1984; and Minister of Education in 1986. He was also Chairman of the Development Committee of World Bank and International Monetary Fund in 1998 and president of UNESCO’s General Conference. As a student leader he was the founder of Malaysia’s Muslim Youth Movement and has extensive experience working with Muslim political parties. From 1975 till 1982 he was representative for Asia Pacific of World Assembly of Muslim Youth under Sheikh Hassan Abdullah.
In 1988, Anwar Ibrahim became the second President of International Islamic University of Malaysia. The idea of the establishment of IIUM arose in the Congress of Malaya Islamic University which was organized by The National Organization of Islamic Students of Malaysia (PKPIM) in 1971. The then President of PKPIM was Anwar Ibrahim. This resolution urged the authority to upgrade the Islamic Malayan College. In 2010, Association of Muslim Social Scientist UK awarded it’s prestigious lifetime achievement award to Anwar Ibrahim in recognition of long and distinguished service in the field of politics and economic thought, the promotion of the cause of good governance and commitment to the principles of freedom, tolerance and justice.
Highly respected for his principled stance against corruption and his skillful management of the Malaysian economy during the turbulent period of its financial crisis, Anwar is also viewed as one of the forefathers of the Asian Renaissance and a leading proponent of greater cooperation among civilizations. He is an ardent supporter of democracy and is an authoritative voice in bridging the gap between East and West. As a public servant in Malaysia, Anwar was unrelenting in his campaign against corruption and has been committed to the ideals of empowerment, justice, and equity. He has stressed the need for internal reforms in order to reinforce civil and democratic institutions and to expand the democratic space.
Some of these themes, articulated in his book Menangani Perubahan (Managing Change) and Asian Renaissance. As acting Prime Minister in 1997, for example, he introduced Anti-Corruption Legislation which held public officials accountable for corrupt practices even after their departure from public service. His emphasis on social justice, poverty eradication, education and civil society has guided his career in government to the present.
He has lectured extensively around the world on governance and accountability, the relationship between Islam and democracy, the need for greater civilizational dialogue and contemporary politics in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. His articles and speeches on these subjects have been published widely in leading newspapers and journals around the world. He is respected internationally as a leader in interreligious dialogue and Muslim Christian relations and was one of the early signatories to the Common Word initiative. He has also held lecturing positions at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and St. Anthony’s College at Oxford University.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 19, 2025
Anwar Ibrahim’s Rethinking Ourselves is an honest and passionate attempt to call Malaysians toward moral renewal in what he calls “postnormal times.” The book’s greatest strength is its moral sincerity — a rare quality in politics today. Anwar writes not as a power-seeker but as a moral teacher, inviting citizens to reflect on justice, ignorance, and reform through the language of conscience.
He draws widely from both Islamic and Western intellectual traditions — quoting Al-Ghazali, Confucius, Kant, and Gandhi— showing courage in bridging worlds. This openness gives the book a humanistic appeal, uniting different faiths and philosophies around a shared call for compassion and justice. For many Malaysians, weary of cynicism, this message restores hope in leadership as a moral vocation.
Anwar Ibrahim’s Rethinking Ourselves talks about moral renewal and justice in a confusing, changing world. But from a Malay-Islamic view, his ideas lack a clear foundation in Truth. I
prefer to interpret justice as putting everything in its right place according to divine order. Anwar’s version sounds more like a human idea of fairness, not one rooted in Truth. It becomes emotional and idealistic, but without a solid anchor.
Anwar calls for reform, but his approach focuses on politics and systems, not personal character. In our tradition, true reform starts with the self — cleaning the heart before changing society. As the Malay saying goes, “a ruler without justice ruins his people; a people without adab ruin their ruler.” Real reform needs inner discipline and moral order, not just slogans or protests.
Anwar says ignorance comes from lack of information. But in my point of view ignorance means not knowing the proper order of life — not knowing what comes first, what is sacred, what is right. The cure is adab — good manners, right knowledge, and respect for truth. Dialogue and empathy are good, but they must come with spiritual understanding, not just social feeling.
Anwar writes with a global, humanistic tone, quoting thinkers from many cultures. But in doing so, he seems not touch upom the Malay-Islamic roots that shaped Malaysia— agama (religion), adat (custom), and daulat (legitimacy). These are not barriers to progress; they are what give moral balance to our society. Reform that ignores culture and tradition loses its direction.
Anwar’s passion for justice is admirable, but sometimes it feels too idealistic. Good leadership also requires patience, balance, and respect for existing institutions. As Roger Scruton says, institutions hold the wisdom of a nation. Reform must build on them, not destroy them. In Malay ethics, this is called amanah — responsibility guided by wisdom and care.
Rethinking Ourselves is sincere and full of moral concern, but what Malaysia needs is not more rethinking — it needs re-anchoring. We must return to adab, to moral order, and to the spiritual truth that gives our civilization strength.
In times of confusion, remembering who we are is the first step toward real reform.
He draws widely from both Islamic and Western intellectual traditions — quoting Al-Ghazali, Confucius, Kant, and Gandhi— showing courage in bridging worlds. This openness gives the book a humanistic appeal, uniting different faiths and philosophies around a shared call for compassion and justice. For many Malaysians, weary of cynicism, this message restores hope in leadership as a moral vocation.
Anwar Ibrahim’s Rethinking Ourselves talks about moral renewal and justice in a confusing, changing world. But from a Malay-Islamic view, his ideas lack a clear foundation in Truth. I
prefer to interpret justice as putting everything in its right place according to divine order. Anwar’s version sounds more like a human idea of fairness, not one rooted in Truth. It becomes emotional and idealistic, but without a solid anchor.
Anwar calls for reform, but his approach focuses on politics and systems, not personal character. In our tradition, true reform starts with the self — cleaning the heart before changing society. As the Malay saying goes, “a ruler without justice ruins his people; a people without adab ruin their ruler.” Real reform needs inner discipline and moral order, not just slogans or protests.
Anwar says ignorance comes from lack of information. But in my point of view ignorance means not knowing the proper order of life — not knowing what comes first, what is sacred, what is right. The cure is adab — good manners, right knowledge, and respect for truth. Dialogue and empathy are good, but they must come with spiritual understanding, not just social feeling.
Anwar writes with a global, humanistic tone, quoting thinkers from many cultures. But in doing so, he seems not touch upom the Malay-Islamic roots that shaped Malaysia— agama (religion), adat (custom), and daulat (legitimacy). These are not barriers to progress; they are what give moral balance to our society. Reform that ignores culture and tradition loses its direction.
Anwar’s passion for justice is admirable, but sometimes it feels too idealistic. Good leadership also requires patience, balance, and respect for existing institutions. As Roger Scruton says, institutions hold the wisdom of a nation. Reform must build on them, not destroy them. In Malay ethics, this is called amanah — responsibility guided by wisdom and care.
Rethinking Ourselves is sincere and full of moral concern, but what Malaysia needs is not more rethinking — it needs re-anchoring. We must return to adab, to moral order, and to the spiritual truth that gives our civilization strength.
In times of confusion, remembering who we are is the first step toward real reform.
February 17, 2026
The very idea of perpetual, linear, open-ended progress—a specifically Western notion—has now become untenable, unjust, unsustainable, and inherently injurious to the planet and therefore to the future of humanity.
p193
Buku ini ditulis untuk pembaca antarabangsa. Mungkin separuh daripada isi buku ini akan mudah dicerna dan sebahagian besarnya pula seakan pengulangan benda lama.
p193
Buku ini ditulis untuk pembaca antarabangsa. Mungkin separuh daripada isi buku ini akan mudah dicerna dan sebahagian besarnya pula seakan pengulangan benda lama.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews