Generation: A Collection of Contemporary Malaysian Ideas

by Amir Muhammad, Kam Raslan, Sheryll Stothard

In the tessellated milieu of agendas, visions and revisions we call contemporary Malaysia, Generation, as a collection of independent comments from three members of the country's new generation of writers, is just one more piece in the Malaysian jigsaw puzzle.

199 pages

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Johnny B. Rempit]

This book is a collection of short essays/articles which were published during the 90s by three writers who could, in a way, symbolize the hopes and aspirations of a small but very vocal minority in Malaysia. They represent the Malaysian urban middle class. Educated, highly opinionated urban (and suburban) dwellers who aren't ashamed of their fluent English (and Bangsarese) and lofty ideals. They also represent the generation of Malaysians who grew up during the vigorous implementation of a social restructuring exercise that resulted from the aftermath of the 13 May 1969 racial riots (otherwise known as the NEP). As such, their view of Malaysian life is quite different from those of the previous generation. Essentially, the short essays/articles in the book is about their collective dreams, aspirations and ideals as well as their frustrations and heartaches.

A very interesting read. All three writers, Amir Muhammad, Kam Raslan and Sheryll Stothard, are still writing today.

[Lysergius]

Read this while I was working in M'sia. Had a chance to test the ideas first hand. Quite accurate and illuminating.

[Oward Bodie]

A collection of essays, articles, reviews and sketches by three prominent Malaysian public intellectuals. It tracks the consciousness of a Malaysian urban petit bourgeoisie that was coming of age in the 1990s, when the nation was finally reaping benefits (and challenges) from UMNO policies that had dominated the decades prior (and since). Although the three writers are different from one another stylistically, their ideas speak to each other in surprising, and intense ways, and eventually there emerges a single, coherent voice that echoes their generation's hopes, fears, anxieties, passions, and ideals. This is an important, critical read for those who are interested in Malaysian history, particularly intellectual history of the 1990s (in the run up to the Asian Economic Crisis).

[Elviza]

Still what read from time to time just for the fun of it...

[Lysergius]

A selection of ideas and opinions on nineties Malayasia by local commentators.