History states and defines rights. A history that is one-sided, that tends to be on the side of the colonizers and disregards the actual truths is an erred discourse, which nullities the rights, self-identity and pride of a nation This book aims to correct the lopsidedness and neglect. Penang and Seberang Perai have kept ancient proofs of population long before the arrival of Francis Light. For the sake of uncovering a history that reaches further in the past and unearths more truths, this book presents three scholars and well-known experts who reveal these early proofs. They are Dr Mokhtar Saidin, an archaeologist, Dr Mahani Musa, a historian and Dr Noriah Mohamed., a linguist. Their researches begin from the early proofs and lead us to the earlier decade of the arrival of East India Company.

This book attempts to put into context Malaysian Foreign Policy since Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak came into office. Many of the changes that have been instituted could be regarded as engaging diplomacy with innovation in such issues as culture, networks, and globalization. In the forefront are the new diplomatic initiatives as the articulation of the New Economic Model, the APEX University in Malaysian higher education, and the ‘One Malaysia’ programme and its impact on the people. Taken together, they represent a noticeable shift in emphasis with the need to combine the domestic dictates of policy and the translation of Malaysia’s larger interests externally. Issues are discussed and analyzed within a historical and future perspective without sidelining the traditional concerns of Malaysian Foreign Policy: The centrality of ASEAN, the need for foreign direct investment, and engagement with the world. The book, therefore, serves a wide readership deeply interested in keeping up with the pace of reforms within the country’s foreign policy and public diplomacy.

Cosmopolitan ideals and pluralist tendencies have been employed creatively and adapted carefully by Muslim individuals, societies and institutions in modern Southeast Asia to produce the necessary contexts for mutual tolerance and shared respect between and within different groups in society. Organised around six key themes that interweave the connected histories of three countries in Southeast Asia - Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia - this book shows the ways in which historical actors have promoted better understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims in the region. Case studies from across these countries of the Malay world take in the rise of the network society in the region in the 1970s up until the early 21st century, providing a panoramic view of Muslim cosmopolitan practices, outlook and visions in the region.

This book explores Muslim communities in Southeast Asia and the integration of Islamic culture with the diverse ethnic cultures of the region, offering a look at the practice of cultural and religious coexistence in various realms. The volume traces the origins and processes of adoption, transmission, and adaptation of Islam by diverse ethnic communities such as the Malay, Acehnese, Javanese, Sundanese, the Bugis, Batak, Betawi, and Madurese communities, among others. It examines the integration of Islam within local politics, cultural networks, law, rituals, education, art, and architecture, which engendered unique regional Muslim identities. Additionally, the book illuminates distinctive examples of cultural pluralism, cosmopolitanism, and syncretism that persisted in Islamic religious practices in the region owing to its maritime economy and reputation as a marketplace for goods, languages, cultures, and ideas. As part of the Global Islamic Cultures series that investigates integrated and indigenized Islam, this book will be of interest to students and researchers of theology and religion, Islamic studies, religious history, political Islam, cultural studies, and Southeast Asian studies. It also offers an engaging read for general audiences interested in world religions and cultures.

Dynamism of Local Knowledge: Revisiting History and Culture give readers a critical view of history and culture through the lenses of contributors’ understanding of local knowledge and its epistemology. The essays in this volume explore the various facets of Malaysian traditions, culture, history and lifestyle. The perspectives of history and culture take a dynamic turn through exploring genres such as dance, literature, traditions and language. This book will highlight the new dynamic in local knowledge through its publication as the selected essays discuss a wide range of topics that reflect the transdisciplinary research perspectives of the respective contributors.

Colonial buildings and monuments in George Town symbolise new offspring of an architecture style ‒ neoclassical architecture blended with the local style ‒ due to its adjustment to the tropical climate. The establishment of George Town as a port city had changed the landscape of this island from the existed small settlements of traditional fishing villages to colonial settlements. In this exquisite book, the authors welcome you into one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Written in a clear and engaging style, the text includes a wealth of information, and is attractively formatted and enhanced with 143 colorful photographs and illustrations. The book begins with the introduction of George Town as a historic city, and its transformation into one of the world heritage sites. Chapters are then arranged according to building categories. Each provides overview of historical events that influenced the architectural styles of the respective buildings. For anyone interested in architecture, as well as those who are planning to visit this uniquely multicultural heritage city, Architecture and Heritage Buildings in George Town, Penang is an essential reading.

Understanding the consumers’ trend in Malaysia is vital to meet the changing demands of the Malaysian market. Consumption in Malaysia: Meeting of New Changes serves an invaluable resource to academics, researchers, tertiary students, business practitioners and local and foreigner investors on understanding the changes happened and happening in consumerism of Malaysia. The authors provide a comprehensive and much-needed overview of the current consumption and marketing patterns on various business sectors at multicontext level to offer useful insights on how the consumers and the market in Malaysia are changing in both product and service sectors. This knowledge is important to guide the readers to understand, segment and recommend solutions to various changing and emerging markets. In general this is an important book for business people, policy makers and researchers seeking to understand the pattern and trend of changing markets in Malaysia. Keywords: Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malayia, Penerbit USM

This volume presents a selection of articles aimed at introducing the field of local knowledge to a local and international audience. Based upon the theme “Retracing Tradition for a Sustainable Future,” the articles detail local practices that reflect local wisdom in various domains of knowledge such as literature, architecture, water management, tourism, dance and drama. This collection of articles embodies an important, tangible initiative by Universiti Sains Malaysia Local Knowledge Secretariat to identify and retrace indigenous local knowledge, besides documenting and conserving local wisdom for future generations. It presents an important resource for researchers and students interested in exploring the under-researched area of local knowledge and indigenous science in the Malaysian context.

Professor Emeritus Dato’ K.J. Ratnam is a political scientist who received his higher education at the University of Malaya (B.A. 1956), the University of British Columbia (M.A. 1958) and the London School of Economics (Ph.D. 1960). He was Professor of Political Science and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Singapore before taking up the position of Foundation Dean of the School of Comparative Social Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia (then University of Penang) in 1970. He subsequently held the posts of Director of the Centre for Policy Research, Dean of Graduate Studies and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Development. He was conferred the title of Professor Emeritus in 1993. Professor Emeritus Dato’ K.J. Ratnam has been an active researcher and has published extensively on topics ranging from Malaysian politics and race relations to social science development, political sociology, education, R&D planning and science and technology policy. In January 2003, he was appointed to the University’s newly-created Tuanku Chancellor Chair of Science and Technology Policy and Development. Professor Emeritus Ratnam is now retired and lives in Kuala Lumpur.