Malaysia's independence from Dr Syed Husin Ali's point of view

That history is written by winners is an oft-repeated saying when studying political and historical writings. Another less addressed issue is that the history of the common man – of any given era – has not been captured anywhere near as much as that of royalty and political leaders.

In putting together A People’s History Of Malaysia, veteran politician/professor Dr Syed Husin Ali attempts to redress that imbalance. The history of Malaysia, he argues, has largely been shaped in the images of the upper classes of society; a traditional elite who made a smooth transition from the old royal systems to democratic leadership.