(No, I did not publish the book, but I did write about it.)
Strategic Information and Research Development (SIRD) will host a Book Launch: “Sharing The Nation: Faith, Difference, Power and The State, 50 Years After Merdeka”
The Social Contract and Its Acceptance
The accepted wisdom is that Malaysia’s national independence and its Constitution are grounded upon a political bargaining process and an ensuing ‘social contract’.
Two major questions still exist in this area:
1. The actual terms, current standing and enforceability of this ‘social contract.’
2. The agreed constitutional position of Islam in a multi-religious society.
For the respected intellectual Prof Ungku Abdul Aziz, the ‘social contract’ was a fantasy concocted by self-serving politicians. Tun Dr. Mahathir disagreed strongly, claiming it is a verbal contract that promises citizenship to the Chinese in the hope they would support Malayan independence.
As for religion: Just how ‘secular’ was our original Constitution, and how much of that has changed over the decades, and in what way?
Sharing The Nation is a collection of essays that clarify the issues at the very core of Malaysia’s political philosophy, then and now.
This book will be officially launched by Senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Law Minister in Prime Minister's Department
Following are the details of the book launching:
Date: 24th June 2008 (Tuesday)
Time: 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Venue: Rumah Universiti, Universiti Malaya
Programme:
7.30 pm : Arrival of Guests
7.45 pm : Welcome Speech by Executive Director, SIRD, Mr Chong Ton Sin
8.00 pm : The launch is officiated by: Senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, Law Minister in Prime Minister's Department
8.30 pm : Panel Discussion
Panelist: 1) Norani Othman ( Professor & Principal Research Fellow at IKMAS)
2) Mavis Puthucheary ( Associate Professor, University Malaya)
3) Clive Kessler ( Emeritus Professor, University of New South Wales)
9.30 pm : Q & A session
10.00 pm : Closing
We cordially invite you to the book launch. Light refreshment will be served. For further details please contact Mr Zul or Mr Loo at: 03 79578343/ 8342
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