As I Was Passing

by Adibah Amin

Adibah Amin's AS I WAS PASSING celebrates the Malaysian way of life. In this delightful, inventive collage of anecdotal essays, she looks into the heart and soul of Malaysia, past and present, with humour and through crisp prose. She dissects the Malaysian psyche and its quirks and idiosyncrasies with relish and abandonment.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Adibah Amin (lahir 19 Februari 1936) ialah seorang ahli akademik, ahli bahasa, penulis bahasa Melayu serta bahasa Inggeris, dan pelakon Malaysia. Sri Delima merupakan nama penanya. Karya-karyanya termasuk tiga buah novel dalam bahasa Melayu (Bangsawan Tulen, Seroja Masih Di Kolam, Tempat Jatuh Lagi Dikenang) bersama-sama dengan lebih kurang 200 drama radio ("Hanya 10 adalah baik", beliau berkata dengan rendah hati kepada majalah Asiaweek), dan sebilangan cerpen pendek. Dalam bahasa Inggeris, beliau menulis untuk akhbar The Star, dan kini paling diingati untuk ruangnya "As I Was Passing" yang ditulis semasa beliau bertugas dengan akhbar New Straits Times. Terbaru, pada November 2006, Adibah melahirkan novel pertamanya di dalam Bahasa Inggeris, "This End of The Rainbow" yang memaparkan sebuah fiksi tentang kehidupan mahasiswa sekitar tahun 50an. Novelnya "Seroja Masih di Kolam" telah diterjemahkan ke dalam Bahasa Jepun dengan judul "Surojya No Hana Wa Mada Ike Ni (1986)." Adibah juga turut menterjemahkan karya-karya sastera besar Malaysia termasuklah No Harvest But Thorns tulisan Sasterawan Negara Malaysia, Shahnon Ahmad (judul asal Ranjau Sepanjang Jalan) dan Jungle of Hope (tulisan SN Keris Mas, judul asalnya, Rimba Harapan). Sehingga tahun 2006, Adibah masih giat menulis terutamanya mengenai artikel-artikel pendidikan di suratkhabar (The STAR).

(Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Fadillah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“.. But one part of the story that i wanted passionately to believe : the part about the pact between the first rulers and their rakyat, to remain valid down the generations to the end of time - that in return for the rakyat’s undivided loyalty the rulers would rule will meticulous justice. How subtly the Sejarah Melayu showed the calamitous consequences when the pact was broken by one side or the other or both : the fall of Temasik - Singapura and later of Melaka were traceable to such breaches”.
- As i was passing by Adibah Amin
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Adibah Amin (or Sri Delima - this is her pseudonym when she wrote her weekly column in NST) grew up in the time of Pre - Malaysia and Post-Malaysia formation which is how the book eventually got published . This book actually reminded me of ‘an ode to my father’. Although the moview offered different vibes from ‘As i was passing’ but we can see the element of sadness and suffering in the middle of War (when the author shared about Japanese Occupation in 1940s), she also wrote many things indicating that Malaysia progressed onwards thus it was not all tears and bleakness, there’s some laughter and rainbow along the way. The word ‘Passing’ according to her is a sentiment that reaaders could also enjoy her thoughts / memories / experiences growing up as Malaysian before Malaysia was even formed. The book is divided into 6 sections. I dont think i can summarize all sections in details manner but i will just shared what i find funny or memorable or even things that i dont even know exist. Chances are Malaysian Millenials, Gen X-er and Boomers might find this book painfully nostalgic - before technology kinda ‘ruined’ it for us. If any Malaysian Gen Z and Alpha Gen interested to read it, i will say this : you may not be able to relate to majority of the stories but you might be familiar with these stories because your parents, once in a blue moon, may talk about their childhood memories with you. Overall, An enjoyable writing. People may not love this as much as i did considering it is just a short essays compilation, but i totally love this book.
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1. So this is Malaysia - What makes us Malaysia unique? Is it Our Malaysian timing that drove people mad? Is it Our endless hospitality? Is it our colorful tradition? Adibah talked how Malaysian were perceived from local and foreign lenses.
2. Our Yesterdays - Back when culture and tradition were not bounded by Religion, Adibah Amin reminisced that Ronggeng Dance, Ghazal Music , Wayang Bangsawan and Dondang Sayang Pantun is not a rare sight. ‘Latah’ and ‘The games of yesteryear’ essay were such a special treat. I almost forgot about it.
3. Festive Seasons - I was one year old when
i know ‘Bahulu’ is actually called ‘Buah Hulu’ / Kuih Buah Tangan Dari Hulu back then. Adibah mentioned tradition of Balik Kampung and all city dwellers made their way to the hometown during Raya time and to think that we couldnt do that for 2 years during Pandemic, i wonder how she will penned this story.
4. City Capers - This section takes on urban setting. The encounter with playboys that will woo Kilang girls whenever they got a chance, The makcik that attempted to learn how to drive and even the income tax story.
5. Other People - Heaven or Hell - If your neighbour can smell your food, then you need to be courteous to offer them some - i dont know where did i heard this but i remembered it right away once i saw Adibah wrote about it. Take ‘love thy neighbour’ but in more extreme way.
6. Oh Men, Oh Women. - These nosy aunties/uncles and relatives still persisted until today. They will keep asking when are you getting married and so on & so forth until you are dreading to meet them next time. Glad to know that the author’s generation are being bothered by this equally the same. They are more ruthless back then as they trying their level best to match you with so and so person, i supposed considering being an unmarried women and men were frowned upon - not saying that it is not frowned upon now but society has changed at least a little bit.
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[Ismim Putera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compilation of anecdotes depicting Malaysian lives. The writer, Adibah Amin, vocalises and illustrates her ideas artfully through her own perspective. She manages to highlightnimportant issues in her writing, often equipped with a handful of rhetorical wits and wisdom. I enjoyed this humble collection. I wish we have more strong writers like her. This book is a must read for all Malaysians.

[Azmir Ismail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice book of anecdotes. observations of the society by the author, Adibah Amin. These writings would be enjoyed by those who have been through the time she describes in these writings. It might not make sense if you are born in the 90s or later, but it is a window to a Malaysian past.

[Fuwa]

It was an ok-ish pleasant journey.

[Zakwan Nazmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and insightful. A must-read for Malaysians.

[Professor RJ Lupin · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book 👏

[Juliana Es · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been postponing on reading the next chapter. Since it's quite boring and failed to hold my interest longer than 10 minutes, I returned it to the library already.

So far, I can only rate 2 star - for the chapters that I've read - I don't even remember which one anymore...

[Aida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought, I might not like the book knowing that it was a compilation of articles for a local newspapers column wrote in the 70's but I end up loving it! Most of the articles also remind me of good old days. Looking back, they remind me of my childhood as well. How I love those days!

[Exavidreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adibah Amin writes with her usual wit and frankness about the customs and everyday life of Malaysians. Although much has changed in Malaysia since she wrote the column, this book is a great collection of times past.

[Siti · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first it was hard to follow her trail of thoughts. After understanding that these are compiled articles, started to enjoy the musings. She is definitely gifted in writing and expressing with wit and candour.

[Khai Yeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was quite hilarious!!

[Azura Mustafa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really my favourite, but its still good.

[Ahmad Azhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the first book I read when I was young. Love it