Asian Renaissance [Hardcover]

Anwar Ibrahim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1996

What are the ideological thoughts behind one of Asia's most influential and controversial political figures encountered in recent decades? In the facsimile edition of The Asian Renaissance first published in 1996, Anwar Ibrahim, then Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Malaysia, shares his vision for a more tolerant, pluralistic Asia. Brilliant, cogent and thought-provoking, this collection of essays encapsulates the learning and perception of a vibrant and resonant voice in Southeast Asian politics.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Anwar Ibrahim was Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998, and Minister of Finance from 1991 to 1998. Prior to that, he had also held several Cabinet portfolios, including that of Culture, Youth and Sports (1983); Agriculture (1984) as well as Education (1986). After ten years away from the Malaysian political scene since 1998, he made a comeback in 2008 when he won a seat in Parliament for the constituency of Permatang Pauh in a by-election. He is currently the leader of the opposition People s Justice Party (Keadilan) of Malaysia. Anwar Ibrahim was born in Penang in 1947. He is married to Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and they have six children. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 159 pages
• Publisher: Times Editions,Singapore (1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9812047832
• ISBN-13: 978-9812047830
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,192,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Asian Renaissance By Anwar Ibrahim - Review, July 6, 2001

By 

Mohamed Nassir (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asian Renaissance (Hardcover)

This book highlights and details to you Anwar Ibrahim's visions for his country. Anwar also mentions the problems he had with his government and country. There are many issues that he has brought up in this book, but some of them may not be so obvious. You have to read between the lines. Afterall, when he wrote the book, Anwar was still the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

I suppose he may not have wanted to jeopardise his position. But, I guess now that Anwar is a prisoner of conscience and no longer in power, you would definitely better understand his thoughts if you have been following the political developments in Malaysia ever since Anwar's sacking and arrest in September 1998.

Anwar explains his aspirations for his beloved country Malaysia and the immediate Asian region in implementing a sound government with strong principles of social justice, good governance, zero-corruption, zero-cronism, zero-nepotism, and cultural and religious tolerance.

Anwar is currently incarcerated beyond his will in the prison of Malaysia. This is caused by a deep political conspiracy initiated by Mahathir (Prime Minister of Malaysia) and some of his [associates]. He has been behind bars since 20 September 1998. But, the struggle for reform and justice continues in his beloved country. But, I strongly believe that the Truth shall prevail and Anwar shall be a free man in not too distant a future. Mark my word!

...

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Political Idealist's Manifesto, November 18, 2003

By 

Tengku Ahmad Hazri (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Asian Renaissance (Hardcover)

This book echoes the voice of the new breed of Asians. Aptly entitled 'The Asian Renaissance', Anwar Ibrahim robustly asserts his optimism for Asians. He writes about the "East Asian Economic Miracle", argues for the Asians to stand up for their values and not be held in cultural servitude by the West. This typifies the new Asian, or modern Asian: bold, assertive and liberal. Perhaps this book should come as no surprise, given that he was, when the book was published, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Malaysia. Along with his one-time mentor, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, they can be regarded as the architect of modern Malaysia - politically, economically and culturally.

The Asian Renaissance speaks out just what Asia is moving towards: independence and autonomy from the West. Anwar's vision for Asia thus lies in this book. Nonetheless, read critically and one will find that Anwar presents nothing original here. The abundance of quotations and excerpts is a catastrophic mistake. It leaves the central theme of the book, namely Anwar's thesis of an Asian renaissance, paling into insignificance and lurking beneath the thoughts of other writers.

Throughout the book, Anwar Ibrahim persistently argues for a "middle path" which he purports to apply to virtually every aspect of life, be it in politics or economics. Thus he discredits communism and recognises the impossibility of an absolute democracy. Democracy should be controlled - by religion or something else - so that the people are duly regulated by the law. Well and good. But this straitjacket application for everything necessarily amounts to childish idealism utterly divorced from reality. First, sometimes it is necessary to be radical to progress. Anwar's mentor, Dr. Mahathir even attributes his success story to his ability "to be nasty when others are not". Those who follow the story of Anwar Ibrahim after his crude dismissal from the Malaysian political landscape in 1998 will recall how ardently he advocates for the abolition of the Internal Security Act which provides for detention without trial. Reading the book in this context one is inclined to concede that he believes the ISA is hostile to democracy. Yet with the upsurge of terrorism, many have come to be aware of such preventive measures. To this extent, democracy at times becomes a fascist convert - what "middle path" can one take? Second, history is always brought about by the clash of two extremes, absolute capitalism vs. communism, religious dogmatism vs. downright secularism and so forth. It is thus not easy to arrive at a "middle path", which Anwar makes it sound so easy to accomplish.

Apparently, Anwar too doesn't subscribe to the 'paternalistic' view of the state where the government is to the people what parents are to the children. Thus he believes that Asians should be given equal freedom as the people in the West does, conveniently ignoring the fact that the people may be incapable of such a vast plethora of rights and liberty, given their "developing" or even "underdeveloped" country status hence many may still have not attained the level of education and maturity of the people in developed countries. But for this Anwar has an answer in the book: he quotes Dr. Sun Yat Sen, "Alas, that is like telling a child that he cannot go to school because he is illiterate!".

Although the book is called "Asian" renaissance, it has a strong Islamic inclination and Anwar writes of Islam as if it has such a profound influence in the Asian continent. Implicitly he is stating his optimism that Islam will dominate Asia and given his rigorous stand to bring Malaysia to the fore of Islamic leadership, that could also mean that he might think of resurrecting Andalusia (which he rightfully glorifies) in Malaysia!

Given these considerations, perhaps it is no exaggeration to say that The Asian Renaissance is a manifesto of a political idealism, at times even realism and pragmatism is threatened. Nevertheless given the spirit and vision deeply ingrained and embodied in the book, that dream might become reality, though not in the near future.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Inspirational, July 8, 2000

By 

Hafiz Harun (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Asian Renaissance (Hardcover)

Having read The Asian Renaissance, I could not help but be consumed with excitement and optimism about the future of Malaysian society, and that of Southeast Asia and Asia. At last, someone has so clearly and eloquently shown us the best way forward.

Guided by his own religious convictions, drawing upon universal values of other faiths, and from the wisdom of great thinkers, leaders and philosophers of the past, coupled with his wealth of experience in public life, Anwar exhibits a profound understanding of the confusion and weaknesses that has held Asian societies back.

Incarcerated though he may be, the spirit of reform which he advocates remains very much alive. Anwar's thoughts, ideals and courage has inspired millions in Malaysia, and millions more throughout the region and continent.

Malaysia, and indeed Southeast Asia and Asia, has in its midst, a man so uniquely gifted, as a thinker and reformer. That Anwar is already a prominent and dynamic politician, and a leader of international repute, lends even greater hope that his thoughts, ideas and convictions, will not, God willing, remain a dream.

Anwar shines a bright light on the future of Asian societies. Truly inspirational!