Islam and Democracy in Malaysia: Findings from a National Dialogue

The minor lapses notwithstanding, Saravanamuttu, the VisitingSenior Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies(ISEAS) in Singapore, has provided a perceptive analysis ofMalaysiaís foreign policy dynamics during the first fifty years. Thebook is based upon considerable research and reflection. The datafor this study came from a variety of sources including interviewswith major players over the years and the wisdom displayed by theauthor in earlier publications. The author has argued convincinglyfor the model he has adopted for studying Malaysiaís foreign policy.The book explains in a lucid style how Malaysia crafted its foreignpolicy in a rapidly-globalizing world without losing sight of itsregional solidarity, and without sacrificing it Islamic credentials. Thebook is well structured and can be read by a broad spectrum ofreaders and hence it is well-worth having it on the library shelves.