So, I was elated when finally able to buy this book during the almost 2 weeks-off I took from my clinical as a medical student at the teaching hospitals in Medan. The holiday was necessary as I had to settle some of the immigration stuffs and needed to go to the Indonesian embassy in KL. Since my temporary residence card expiry date falls on raya, I couldn't be more grateful.
But the buy of this book itself was quite an issue for me, personally as I'm coming from a low middle-class family in which money is use with extra care and only spend it when necessary.
And of course a books that costs me RM100 book is unnecessary. When my sisters found out that I bought this book, it since then continually became a point of validation of me not spending money wisely. And later associating me as someone who is immature, who can’t decide which is more important as later they also found out that I complained to my parents that I don’t even have any underwear to wear anymore. Though having none was merely an intended exaggeration, I truly needed a shopping as the last one I did was 5 years ago paid by my sister. Hence, needing a few new pants, I tried to get some sympathy from my parents and that explains the exaggeration. It finally paid off when my dad gave me a few bucks of money and I did the much needed shopping. So the immature part is simply when I chose to buy the book instead of the clothes.
Unexpectedly the MARA loan which normally gets in the bank account at the end of each month wasn’t there by the time when I was already in Malaysia. Having to pay for the visa, I borrowed some money from a friend. And my sister too, I thought wanting to help, handed me RM100. I used the extra money that I had borrowed to buy this book.
I was so eager to read this book that as soon as I bought this book at Konikuniya KLCC, I sat on a bench outside the shop and started reading and finished a few chapters. The book is really good. I love memoir in general and this book, having written by one of the best Malaysian leader made it even more interesting.
I read it during the busy raya holiday. And when I was back in Medan to continue my duty as co-assistant here, I couldn’t read much as I was too busy, especially week 9 in surgery department. Finally on the last day in surgery, that Saturday night I finished reading this book. And it was 3 a.m. I found the last paragraph was quite sad.
I love every chapter of this book. Dr Mahathir is really somebody who deserves all the praises given to him. The unusual ways he took to face the financial crisis and the visions he has for the future Malaysia is outstanding. Even though he mostly discussed serious national matters (compare to a more personal in others) in his memoir, I sometimes find myself smiling or even laughing to it. I don’t know whether this is appropriate or not as I think reading this book is more entertaining than watching a movie during free times. The movie I played in my computer always playing itself alone without getting any attention from me when I have this book in my hand.
The book tells a story of Mahathir in his early life, how he sees his Malay communities, the colonies, the politics and also his study in medical college. I find this is very interesting especially when he said that he was really scared of dead bodies in his early years as me too actually have the same problem.
There are 62 chapters in this 843-page book. The ex-premier touched on a variety of issue that really shows how careful and wisely he handled each one of them. Being a medical student he admits he lacked some knowledge on economy or law but he glad he wasn’t an expert on these subject which makes him not aligned or subject to general expert believes and see the whole thing from more clearly and unattached view. I also glad when he explains on the financial crisis, why he thinks it happened and what measures actually taken by Malaysian government then to overcome it.
His dislike for the western developed country is quite clear and I quickly understand why as I read. His personal life is not much written in the memoir but I am really satisfied with his take on everything else such as on physical projects which he thinks are important infrastructures to build a modern Malaysia. His account to every issue such as the sacking of his deputy or other issues also clearly explained from his point of view.
Somebody responded to my tweet on twitter by suggesting me to read the maverick mahathir written by an Australian. But I don’t think m gonna read it as m not interested in finding somebody’s flaws. The writer also is not really someone who has contributed to our country (at least not to my knowledge) so I don’t think he deserve my attention to read his work.
I also hope other leaders in Malaysia such as Anwar Ibrahim, Nik Aziz or Tun Abdullah to also write their memoirs too as I want to see things from their perspectives and to learn something from it and from their life.
Having finished reading this book, I totally not regretting buying it in the first place. It’s totally worth it. A must read to all Malaysians and everyone.
