A life-changing revelation
The Accidental Malay
Author: Karina robles bahrin Publisher: epigram books
Karina Robles Bahrin’s first book is a unique Malaysian story told through the twists and turns of workaholic Jasmine Leong’s life. The book’s main character has her sights set on being the next chief executive officer of her wealthy family’s bak kwa (dried meat) company. It is a coveted position but she was born to lead. However, one fine day, she discovers that she is actually Malay. How does her newfound identity change her life and ambitions? Set in Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Malaysia, Jasmine must navigate the societal norms and the country’s policies in her journey to find herself and chase her dreams.
Portrait of A Malaysian Anaesthetist
Author: dr anand sachithanandan Publisher: silverfish books
World Intensive care medicine is less than 70 years old. Bjorn Ibsen set up the first intensive care unit (ICU) in Europe in 1953.
In the late 1950s, John Alfred Lee established Britain’s first postoperative recovery ward. In 1961, one of the earliest “assisted ventilation” units opened at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. In Malaysia, British-trained anaesthesiologist Datuk Dr T. Sachithanandan – better known as Dr Sachi – first championed the idea and concept of intensive care in the country in 1965 and went on to establish the first ICU in a ministry of health hospital in Malaysia at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru in 1969. Written by his son, this poignant and nostalgic biopic on the professional life and career of this illustrious doctor also includes some interesting (and often astonishing) facts about the history of anaesthesiology in Malaysia and the world.
Abandoned Gods
Author: Publisher:
Tan Jit seng Gerakbudaya
In this author’s first full-length horror fantasy novel, we meet Nira, who is making the long and arduous journey to Kuching General Hospital from the interior of Sarawak. With a sick child on her back, this journey of 100km feels like an eternity. On the way, she stumbles into an epic war that has been brewing for generations. The antu gerasi huntsman ghosts, antu menoa river spirits, antu pantang tattoo ghosts, bunsu antu animal spirits and antu utai tumboh plants are all up in arms. But help comes to Nira when she least expects it, in the form of magical feathers from the seven omen birds.
Seletar
Author: Jefree salim Publisher: Gerimis art project
Jefree Salim, a self-taught photographer and fisherman, has been capturing the everyday life of the Orang Asli Seletar community in Johor with his camera for almost two decades. In this 76-paged photobook, he shares a series of snapshots and stories of a community that he grew up with at the Orang Seletar village of Kampung Sungai Temon (in Johor Baru). From children catching crabs, a sprawling landscape of sampans or mangroves, or fishermen hauling in their catch of the day, this compilation of images is accompanied by text in Bahasa Malaysia and English. In many ways, the images also capture how this community’s traditional way of life and livelihoods are increasingly under threat by development in the area.
Strange And Paranormal Tales From Malacca
Author: dennis de Witt Publisher: Nutmeg books
Melaka is a port town with a community made up of a potpourri of cultures and beliefs. It is also known for its many colourful stories of the supernatural. There are written Chinese accounts from the 15th century that detail strange and unexplained happenings here. Through the Dutch, Portuguese and British eras, accounts of hauntings, spirits, sorcery, unusual human powers and poltergeists continue to fascinate us. One of the stories involves a stone-throwing spirit at a family home, with people gathering at the house each night to witness this event. Many of such stories have been forgotten and this book, featuring a selection of 60 paranormal stories from books, journals and articles, revives this rich storytelling past.