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misspalah's review
5.0
“.. But one part of the story that i wanted passionately to believe : the part about the pact between the first rulers and their rakyat, to remain valid down the generations to the end of time - that in return for the rakyat’s undivided loyalty the rulers would rule will meticulous justice. How subtly the Sejarah Melayu showed the calamitous consequences when the pact was broken by one side or the other or both : the fall of Temasik - Singapura and later of Melaka were traceable to such breaches”.
- As i was passing by Adibah Amin
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Adibah Amin (or Sri Delima - this is her pseudonym when she wrote her weekly column in NST) grew up in the time of Pre - Malaysia and Post-Malaysia formation which is how the book eventually got published . This book actually reminded me of ‘an ode to my father’. Although the moview offered different vibes from ‘As i was passing’ but we can see the element of sadness and suffering in the middle of War (when the author shared about Japanese Occupation in 1940s), she also wrote many things indicating that Malaysia progressed onwards thus it was not all tears and bleakness, there’s some laughter and rainbow along the way. The word ‘Passing’ according to her is a sentiment that reaaders could also enjoy her thoughts / memories / experiences growing up as Malaysian before Malaysia was even formed. The book is divided into 6 sections. I dont think i can summarize all sections in details manner but i will just shared what i find funny or memorable or even things that i dont even know exist. Chances are Malaysian Millenials, Gen X-er and Boomers might find this book painfully nostalgic - before technology kinda ‘ruined’ it for us. If any Malaysian Gen Z and Alpha Gen interested to read it, i will say this : you may not be able to relate to majority of the stories but you might be familiar with these stories because your parents, once in a blue moon, may talk about their childhood memories with you. Overall, An enjoyable writing. People may not love this as much as i did considering it is just a short essays compilation, but i totally love this book.
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1. So this is Malaysia - What makes us Malaysia unique? Is it Our Malaysian timing that drove people mad? Is it Our endless hospitality? Is it our colorful tradition? Adibah talked how Malaysian were perceived from local and foreign lenses.
2. Our Yesterdays - Back when culture and tradition were not bounded by Religion, Adibah Amin reminisced that Ronggeng Dance, Ghazal Music , Wayang Bangsawan and Dondang Sayang Pantun is not a rare sight. ‘Latah’ and ‘The games of yesteryear’ essay were such a special treat. I almost forgot about it.
3. Festive Seasons - I was one year old when
i know ‘Bahulu’ is actually called ‘Buah Hulu’ / Kuih Buah Tangan Dari Hulu back then. Adibah mentioned tradition of Balik Kampung and all city dwellers made their way to the hometown during Raya time and to think that we couldnt do that for 2 years during Pandemic, i wonder how she will penned this story.
4. City Capers - This section takes on urban setting. The encounter with playboys that will woo Kilang girls whenever they got a chance, The makcik that attempted to learn how to drive and even the income tax story.
5. Other People - Heaven or Hell - If your neighbour can smell your food, then you need to be courteous to offer them some - i dont know where did i heard this but i remembered it right away once i saw Adibah wrote about it. Take ‘love thy neighbour’ but in more extreme way.
6. Oh Men, Oh Women. - These nosy aunties/uncles and relatives still persisted until today. They will keep asking when are you getting married and so on & so forth until you are dreading to meet them next time. Glad to know that the author’s generation are being bothered by this equally the same. They are more ruthless back then as they trying their level best to match you with so and so person, i supposed considering being an unmarried women and men were frowned upon - not saying that it is not frowned upon now but society has changed at least a little bit.
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- As i was passing by Adibah Amin
.
.
Adibah Amin (or Sri Delima - this is her pseudonym when she wrote her weekly column in NST) grew up in the time of Pre - Malaysia and Post-Malaysia formation which is how the book eventually got published . This book actually reminded me of ‘an ode to my father’. Although the moview offered different vibes from ‘As i was passing’ but we can see the element of sadness and suffering in the middle of War (when the author shared about Japanese Occupation in 1940s), she also wrote many things indicating that Malaysia progressed onwards thus it was not all tears and bleakness, there’s some laughter and rainbow along the way. The word ‘Passing’ according to her is a sentiment that reaaders could also enjoy her thoughts / memories / experiences growing up as Malaysian before Malaysia was even formed. The book is divided into 6 sections. I dont think i can summarize all sections in details manner but i will just shared what i find funny or memorable or even things that i dont even know exist. Chances are Malaysian Millenials, Gen X-er and Boomers might find this book painfully nostalgic - before technology kinda ‘ruined’ it for us. If any Malaysian Gen Z and Alpha Gen interested to read it, i will say this : you may not be able to relate to majority of the stories but you might be familiar with these stories because your parents, once in a blue moon, may talk about their childhood memories with you. Overall, An enjoyable writing. People may not love this as much as i did considering it is just a short essays compilation, but i totally love this book.
.
.
1. So this is Malaysia - What makes us Malaysia unique? Is it Our Malaysian timing that drove people mad? Is it Our endless hospitality? Is it our colorful tradition? Adibah talked how Malaysian were perceived from local and foreign lenses.
2. Our Yesterdays - Back when culture and tradition were not bounded by Religion, Adibah Amin reminisced that Ronggeng Dance, Ghazal Music , Wayang Bangsawan and Dondang Sayang Pantun is not a rare sight. ‘Latah’ and ‘The games of yesteryear’ essay were such a special treat. I almost forgot about it.
3. Festive Seasons - I was one year old when
i know ‘Bahulu’ is actually called ‘Buah Hulu’ / Kuih Buah Tangan Dari Hulu back then. Adibah mentioned tradition of Balik Kampung and all city dwellers made their way to the hometown during Raya time and to think that we couldnt do that for 2 years during Pandemic, i wonder how she will penned this story.
4. City Capers - This section takes on urban setting. The encounter with playboys that will woo Kilang girls whenever they got a chance, The makcik that attempted to learn how to drive and even the income tax story.
5. Other People - Heaven or Hell - If your neighbour can smell your food, then you need to be courteous to offer them some - i dont know where did i heard this but i remembered it right away once i saw Adibah wrote about it. Take ‘love thy neighbour’ but in more extreme way.
6. Oh Men, Oh Women. - These nosy aunties/uncles and relatives still persisted until today. They will keep asking when are you getting married and so on & so forth until you are dreading to meet them next time. Glad to know that the author’s generation are being bothered by this equally the same. They are more ruthless back then as they trying their level best to match you with so and so person, i supposed considering being an unmarried women and men were frowned upon - not saying that it is not frowned upon now but society has changed at least a little bit.
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shukriabdullah's review
3.0
A wonderful patchwork of Malaysian stories prewar and after. Each story, though some are quite alien to me, has a very nostalgic feeling to it. As a millennial, I find it useful to get to know how we, Malaysian interacted then, what was buzz-worthy, and what was not.
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