Malayland
Pre-orders also available in Malaysia from Lit Books.
What does it mean to be Malay in the 21st century? Especially in a country like Malaysia where identity politics is questioned on an almost daily basis, and policed by the state. 16 years later after the publication of I Am Muslim, Dina Zaman returns to write a memoir, writing about what it means to be Malay, and Muslim in the 21st century.
The writer embarked on Malayland during the Covid pandemic, to understand the anger and frustrations of her fellow ethnic Malays who were fighting against (imagined) enemies and a new world order impacted by a virus that killed over seven million people globally. She grew up in a Malaysia that was seething with anger, bubbling underneath the many nightclubs Malaysia was famed for in the 1980s, that witnessed how secularism killed its Malay Muslim heritage. The 1998 Reformasi movement changed Malaysia and whether for the better, is left up to Malaysians to decide.
Today race and faith are discussed and embraced frenetically, where hateful extremism is hidden under the guise of nationalism. Young Malaysians are asserting their political and birth identities through social media. And along the way, the sense of irony and humour that Malaysia is known for, has lost its way. Malayland is a reflective book: memories and flashbacks of a childhood filled with earthquakes, spooks and a sense of wonderment and curiosity about a country that is fighting for a desired identity.
Malayland
Slide to see
Paperback (Orders ship after 18 Nov)
$22.00 SGD
Reviews
“Dina Zaman’s work stands out as a deeply reflective and essential voice in Malaysian literature, especially in light of the country's Reformasi movement. Her writing is marked by a fearless engagement with Malaysia’s evolving political and social landscape, particularly the rise of Muslim conservatism and the increasingly fundamentalist interpretations of Islam that have taken root in segments of society. [...] Through her candid and often witty writing, she highlights the growing influence of fundamentalist interpretations of Islam that call for stricter adherence to religious codes, while also noting the tension this creates within Malaysia’s pluralistic and multicultural framework. […] What makes Dina’s work so compelling is her ability to humanise this ideological conflict. Rather than treating the rise of fundamentalism as an abstract political issue, she explores how it affects people on a personal level—their choices, freedoms, and identities. […] Her narratives often reflect the struggles of those trying to reconcile their personal understanding of Islam with the increasingly dominant conservative views. This engagement with rising Muslim conservatism aligns with the broader themes of Reformasi, a movement aimed at greater political freedom, justice, and civil liberties. Dina’s work raises urgent questions about the direction of Malaysia’s reforms, particularly how progressive values can coexist with conservative religious currents. In many ways, her writing reflects the core of Malaysia’s struggle—balancing tradition with modernity, faith with freedom, and authority with personal autonomy. Dina’s Malayland raises questions that many of us in the Philippines’ “Bangsamoroland” ask ourselves.” — Amina Rasul-Bernardo, President of the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy
“A must-read book offering a unique perspective on the unseen dynamics of Malaysian life, told by a third-culture, privileged Malaysian Muslim woman from a diplomatic family who loves her country but often feels foreign to some aspects of its culture.” — Dr Noor Huda Ismail, Visiting Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University
“Dina Zaman’s latest book, Malayland, is a fascinating and engaging work. Its droll and witty prose makes for an easy read but there is considerably more to Dina’s book than first meets the eye. This is a deeply personal work, a frank and unflinching interrogation of stereotypical framing and lazy prejudice. Dina makes good use of her interviews with a diverse range of individuals from across the spectrum and strata of Malay society. Caught between worlds Dina, ever the curious outsider, wrestles with identity and belonging. The result is a book that is not just a delight to read but a powerful challenge to put aside superficial judgment, to enter into the worlds of others, and to be open to appreciating that which we all too quick to reject. It presents a challenge to urban arrogance, and to dismissive, simplistic, framings of religion and tradition. What does it mean to be Malay? To be Malay is to be human – a product of environment, circumstance, family, community and faith. To be Malay by definition means different things to different people. Perfect agreement is neither necessary not possible, but respect and appreciation for difference and common humanity most certainly are.” — Greg Barton, Deakin University
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Is life hustling you out of tune? As the week roars by, we invite you to a slice of attunement penned lovingly by our authors, friends, and yours truly. Freshly delivered weekly with care. Intimacy guaranteed. Read selected letters below.
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