Concept Of A Hero In Malay Society

by Shaharuddin b. Maaruf

This book invites the Malay masses to take a closer look at themselves and their social, political, economic and cultural values. It diagnoses the problems and shortcomings of their popular social philosophy through a study of the conception of the hero image among Malay populace.

Are the great acts, feats and deeds of traditional Malay heroes always pure in motive? Is there an awareness that there are conflicts between certain fundamental traditional values? Are these values fettered by the feudal past? These are but some of the questions answered by the author.

Reactions from the public to Shaharuddin bin Maaruf's theses may differ; ut, in all, readers will certainly attain a better understanding of Malay politics and cultural life.

A book for all thinking Malaysians.

Genres: Sociology

139 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Emmy Hermina Nathasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delicious read! I study with interests on the Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat’s debate of their deliberately manipulated leadership qualities by elites (though not new). Chapter Three elaborates how Malay elites romanticise feudal history and personalities such as blind loyalty, uncritical attitude, and staying silent. Chapter 4 explains how traditional elite or aristocracy’s feudal values and outlook influenced civil service. While some ideas are not new (it was first written in 1979), it’s an amusing read.

[Aziff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaharuddin M. explores the very question that's been an itch at the back of my mind for years: why does the Malaysian consciousness lack a proper culture of heroes? In opposition to the Western tradition of heroes (in mass media), we have so far produced a lukewarm Keluang-Man, Cicak-Man and the overused if not only Hang Tuah. But I digress.

Concept of A Hero in Malay Society casts a sociological study into the Malay psyche linked to its tribalistic roots. All forms of authority return to warlord figureheads, and by extension, to a monarch system that grips Malay identity by perspective of religion and social class.

His thesis into this theory explores both the historical and contemporary, offering an understanding to the political state of the nation. I found this book most refreshing in its hopelessness but also in how Shaharuddin M. unpacks and demystifies the Hang Tuah as hero and Hang Jebat as the rebel trope.

Because even in rebellion, we continue to play by the rules of those in power.

[Nisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an interesting read. I had read it once and I re-read it again recently. The book, to simplify, sheds light on what the Malay society perceives in someone to be regarded as their hero. What more interesting is although the content of the book was written based on the political scene in the 80s, the content is still relevant, right now in 2021. You can see the similarities of what was happening then with what is happening now. Now and then, I would smirk when I came across paragraphs that resonate to the events happening now. And it just blows my mind that, sad to say, we, the Malays have not changed at all. How we were in the 80s and now - there is not much difference, at all. I am unsure if I should feel sad or whether I should feel hopeful that things will change in the future. To be honest, the future is so bleak looking at how things are now. Anyway, if you are a Malay, this book is a must read.

[Shafiq Razak Rajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku ini menyerang segalanya yang kita ambil secara lewa tentang konsep kepahlawanan dalam masyarakat Melayu. Para 'pejuang bangsa' pasti akan berasa terkilan melihat bagaimana figura-figura wira dalam mitos Melayu, seperti Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Tun Perak, Tun Fatimah dan lain-lain, digambarkan sebagai penyamun, penindas rakyat dan pemimpin yang korup. Dan Prof Shaharuddin tidak menggunakan sumber-sumber alternatif untuk memberi pentafsiran negatif terhadap 'wira-wira' Melayu ini - dia hanya menggunakan sumber-sumber yang dianggap sebagai 'karya agung' seperti Hikayat Hang Tuah dan Sejarah Melayu sendiri!

Prof Shaharuddin tidak berniat untuk mempersoalkan kesahihan kisah-kisah itu. Cuma, tujuannya adalah untuk menunjukkan bagaimana figura-figura yang korup ini telah dianggap oleh 'intelektual-intelektual' zaman moden untuk memberi justifikasi terhadap pemerintahan rejim yang korup. Tokoh-tokoh feudalism ini diromantiskan oleh sejarawan hari ini demi kepentingan sesebuah parti politik pemerintah yang akarnya dan fikirannya masih berbaur feudalisme zaman dahulu. Mereka mahu sistem feudalisme ini dikekalkan dalam struktur demokrasi moden.

Ini menimbulkan suatu persoalan: sekiranya bangsa Melayu tiada tokoh-tokoh sejarah yang boleh dijadikan inspirasi, siapa sahaja wira Melayu yang kita boleh jadikan 'role model' untuk pembangunan bangsa? Prof Shah malangnya tidak menjawab soalan ini. Mungkin dia mahu pembaca keluar dari lingkungan etnosentrik dalam mencari tokoh-tokoh lampau menjadi 'role model'. Dalam buku ini, dia memberi contoh Umar al-Khattab r.a., Jose Rizal dan Jenderal Sudirman sebagai role model masyarakat.

Suara Prof Shaharuddin adalah suara persimis yang sumbang buat mereka yang mempercayai, atau mempunyai kepentingan dalam pentafsiran sejarah yang menyeleweng ini, naratif rasmi yang dipelopori parti pemerintah. Tetapi suaranya penting dan patut diperdengarkan oleh kesemua rakyat Malaysia, khususnya mereka yang ingin memahami sejarah dalam lensa yang kritis, dalam usaha membina sejarah yang lebih positif.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book

Concept of a Hero in Malay Society is a commentary and study of the thinking of the Malay elite in Malaysia by looking at the heroes they uphold and the values they promote in doing so. First published in 1984, the book delves into two well-known figures – Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat – and from there explores how feudalistic and colonialist ideals factor into Malay politics and leadership. As mentioned in the author’s preface, this book is an examination of the social-historical forces that shaped Malay values and ideals.

The Review

Concept of a Hero in Malay Society is a book that gives you food for thought. Looking more deeply and critically into topics skimmed over in history classes, it brings insight into Malay politics and culture of both 1979 (when the manuscript of this book was first completed) and of current times as well. Through the analysis of the concept of the Malay hero as projected by the ruling class, we see how the morality of leadership causes a top-down effect towards the people.

I don’t read many non-fiction books much, often in fear it may be too dry to complete – but this one was an engaging read with a thought process that flowed well and was easy to follow.

I really enjoyed looking further into the story of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat – the topic of blind loyalty to the leader as the trait Hang Tuah most strongly promotes being an especially fascinating one to me – and the concept of an underdeveloped ruling class and its consequences to the people. It put into words things I believe I noticed subconsciously and brought it to the forefront for me to think about critically.

All in all, a great book for anyone looking to cultivate a better understanding Malay politics, culture, and society.

[Ruby Jusoh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished it in two hours because all the points made are very relevant today. All the maladies - the irrational hero-worship, the rituals over ethics, the delusions, the entitlement and the horrible privileged mentality - were addressed.

I learnt a term that will forever be imprinted in my mind - the underdeveloped elite. Ones who are consumed by greed, neglecting ethics and principles. History and religion are being manipulated to suit their narrative. Most of the famous historical figures that we look up to today, were they really instrumental in providing values that society should emulate?

I wonder if we will 'wake up' one day. However, the book also reminds me that perhaps we have been brainwashed for so long, we forgot how to be and how to think before obedience to the group mentality and our 'heroes'became a must. Perhaps, we think of life as a bubble where we do not have to be hold accountable. That is why we choose below-average leadership. We do not want to confront our own weaknesses. That is why we allow so much corruption and injustice and blatant racism and oppression.

Of course we are not doing so bad. But being 'not so bad' is not what I want for this country.

Okay, enough ranting. Haha. Sorry.

[Faeze Sulaiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penulis mengupas isu penting di mana golongan elit Melayu mengangkat dan memanipulasi watak-watak adiwira seperti Hang Tuah, Tun Perak, Tun Fatimah dalam pemikiran masyarakat marhaen atas kepentingan peribadi.

Sebagai contoh, sikap pasif, kesetiaan membuta-tuli pada penerintah, matlamat menghalalkan cara tanpa pertimbangan moral diagungkan sebagai sikap Melayu sejati. Sifat-sifat ini ternyata hanya mengekalkan penguasaan segolongan kecil (golongan elit) dalam masyarakat.

Manakala sifat kritis, ketinggian moral peribadi, budaya ilmu saintifik yang berpotensi mengangkat masyarakat pada tahap yang lebih tinggi tidak diberi perhatian oleh golongan elit.

Penulis mengklasifikasi golongan elit Melayu sebagai ‘golongan elit kurang membangun(under developed elites)’.

Masyarakat umum juga tidak tahu dan tidak bersikap kritis terhadap apa definisi hero yang sebenar.

[Megat Aiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book about the whats hows and whys our Malaysian Malay society have a tendency to look up to problematic personalities (coming from either historical or in our modern day setting) as a hero figure. From a historical pov the writer talked about Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Tun Perak, and few others regarding their issues. In our modern day setting, the writer articulates how this feudalistic tendency is carried over in subtler ways like praising those in high ranking positions (ahem, politicians) for only achieving the bare minimum, or not willing to hold them to a more intense scrutiny. Recommended.

[Haziq Hakimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this back-to-back with Chandra Muzaffar's "Protector". Shaharuddin's analysis here is sharp and piercing. I definitely enjoyed his exploration of the feudal aspects of Malay society, but what was most personally striking was Chapter 5 "The Materialistic Conception of the Hero" in Malay society, where unfettered and unbridled predatory capitalist values are propagated by the Malay elites. Reading this in 2023, we can see clearly the effects that decades of this mentality has had over contemporary Malay society.

[Golda Mowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a strange book to read after 'Antara Mitos dan Sejarah'. I find the writer's insight enlightening (and jaw-dropping). It helps explain a few things that I've wondered about in the past, especially since I grew up thinking that Malay is synonymous with Islam. I was right to be confused. Now at least I can tell the difference.

Two thumbs up from me. Will recommend this book to everyone.

[Raihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writer perfectly criticized the Malays’ obsessiveness over the monarch/ruling elites. Some of us used to glorify Jebat as the rebels against the monarch but Jebat was, after all a human being too,definitely not beyond perfection and not a great Malay hero too.

[Sarip Dol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will review on second read.

[Noninuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

A very critical book about Malay elite's conception of a hero & what it meant to be a hero to the people. I've got a lot of thought about this, review to come later.

[Ahnaf Yunus · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is interesting to read those part when he elaborates the two distinct factions of the Malays, the minority and the majority. This should be realised by both Malays.

[Rafiq · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captured the nature of the Malay elites perfectly. A must-read for every Malaysians

[dami q · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough introductory to critical thinking of current social structure in Malaysia - specifically Malay politics & social hierarchies through who the society idolises. Intriguing to the last bit!

[Nurhaqif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book attempts to study the sociology behind the underdeveloped Malay elite which besets our current society, in terms of capitalistic exploitation, undermining religious and moral values while succumbing to such narrow views on feudal heroism and romanticism. It is indeed such an insightful journey with this book in that the author, Shaharuddin Maaruf had clearly elucidated the extent to which Malays are the product of their time, with the ruling elite continuously occupying the top echelons of the government. The author, interestingly, did not just decorate his book with lofty exquisite verses in the Quran to appreciate the values of Islam (which were usually done by other authors). Instead, he referred to the reformist thinking in Islam itself, such as the ideas articulated by Syed Sheikh Syed Ahmad Al-Hadi, which makes the reading extremely critical. Those who like the status quo may not find this book as their cup of tea, however, this is the reality that they need to swallow and change.