The real Malay; pen pictures

by Frank Athelstane Swettenham

The real Malay; pen pictures. 330 Pages.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham GCMG CH was the first Resident General of the Federated Malay States (part of the then Royal Colonies, now independent Malaysia) which was formed by combining a number of kingdoms. He served from July 1, 1896 to 1901. He was also an amateur photographer.

Reviews

[Nurul Lina Mohd Nor · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, i am reading the version as republished by Silverfish Books, KL (2020).

I was startled on my first few pages of readings, offended when all the cynical writings are pointing Malay towards the ugly corrupted and greedy in signification. I have in fact concluded in that instant, that the whole book will sort of ridiculing Malay to its lowest indignity state. The best to support this is by his writings on Ungka. But somehow, from the same writings am also enlightened of his intention. Further down into more and more pages, i started to see Malay through Swettenham eyes, and they are not bad at all. Swettenhem is elevating Malay, its black and white, just for the reader to appreciate them better. The way he correcting ‘a-muck’ as ‘amuk’ literally and in definition, is one point that I am really thankful about. Thanks to his descriptive approach, history in narrative manner - I am awaken, I learned to visualised the past although I was sometimes in doubt, and questioning on the certainty of his story. Yet with some familiar data that is linked well within the narrative, The Real Malay is one best gift for the Malay themselves.

[Jasmin Mohd-zain · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are short stories observed by an english administrator as he lived and breathes with the people in Tanah Melayu during his posting here.

I can say for sure he loved to be in Tanah Melayu and it has been reported that he spoke and wrote malay too. Descriptions of the landscape was vividly laid on these pages and the flora and fauna facinated him, but alas still the malay mohammedan puzzled him at times.

He writes about all manner of the malays, royalty, chiefstain, the serf and malay ladies of different status. I was sad for Unku Sherifa who altho' enlightened, met with a tragic end.

On page 74 of the Silverfish edition book , I marvelled at how astute Swettenham was in recognizing the malay's "cakap berlapik" or "sindir menyindir". He has lived truly amongst the real malay.

[jahaha]

25 years old this year, and this is my first time reading a Malay’s memoir book from a westerner. This is a collection of short stories derived from his time in Tanah Melayu in the late 80s. One of the oldest books i have ever read. I’m hoping to read more from this time period!

For most part, he consistently highlighted the negative traits of a Malay man. Many of it are those I wont deny are traits many of us Malays have, BUT it’s unfair to sapu rata these to all Malays, as if everyone is the same in Peninsular. Nonetheless, it’s refreshing to learn many observations and lessons wrote by the author. My favourite part of the book is the chapter where he wrote about “amuk”. I can relate so much with these stories, as I have seen it with my own eyes, the incidents that had occurred relating to this particular trait some people here have in Malaysia.

Overall, a good non-fiction read for me. Was it a non-fiction though? 😌

[Ikhwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very difficult to put down once the action started - Swettenham’s meticulous description of the competent but morally ambiguous Sleman’s murder, Wan Hamid’s plotting and the Chieftain’s despair really breathed life into the whole affair. While his orientalist musings can be tiring at times, his attempts at reflexivity (such as when he admitted how unfair it is to judge Malay morality at a time when Malayans had few external influences) can also be refreshing - especially when contrasted with other colonial sources. Perhaps the only major frustration I have with his writing is his weird chauvinistic way of not affording Malay women the same moral leeways that he gives to the male characters that he describes. Regardly, overall this was a really great read!