Just what does it mean to be a pendatang? Does being a pendatang mean that you forfeit any sense of ownership upon this land? Who counts? Or rather, who does not? And more importantly, does it even matter? Because we Malaysians are, after all, a hodgepodge of races, not easily classifiable, or even Continue
Just what does it mean to be a pendatang? Does being a pendatang mean that you forfeit any sense of ownership upon this land? Who counts? Or rather, who does not? And more importantly, does it even matter? Because we Malaysians are, after all, a hodgepodge of races, not easily classifiable, or even quantifiable.
Found in Malaysia explores this contentious and political issue, at a critical juncture in our nation's history, in an attempt to reveal who Malaysians are and who the pendatang are among us.
These are Malaysians who do not fall neatly into the official racial or religious categories. They are united – despite the fifty-year age difference between the oldest and youngest candidate – by their shared diversity of backgrounds and beliefs, and by their stories and aspirations that cut across racial and religious barriers. They are – all of them – truly Malaysian.
In this compilation of 50 meticulously selected interviews from the news and analysis website, The Nut Graph, notable Malaysians share memories of growing up in this pre- and post-Independence Malaysia; they offer tales of their ancestry and historical origins; recount cherished anecdotes from relatives and loved ones; and articulate their hopes and dreams for Malaysia's future.
This collection features interviews with personalities such as Tiara Jacquelina, Datuk Sheila Majid and Chef Wan; AirAsia's CEO Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes; directors Jo Kukathas, Zahim Albakri and Bernard Chauly; and politicians Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Sivarasa Rasiah, Datuk Shahrir Samad and Nurul Izzah.
Exclusive to this book are four unpublished interviews featuring Parti Keadilan Rakyat's lawyer-turned-politician Datuk Zaid Ibrahim; Kuala Kangsar Member of Parliament and former Wanita Umno head Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz; activist, writer and commentator Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir; and legendary dancer Ramli Ibrahim.
