Riwayat

11/05/2026

“The smallest feline is a masterpiece.” — Leonardo da Vinci

11/05/2026

Two nations, two trajectories — a compelling journey through the economic ambitions, social transformations, and historical forces that shaped modern Malaysia and Singapore.

Chronicling Themes in the Economic and Social History of Malaysia explores the many layers of Malaysia’s becoming, from colonial foundations and post-independence policies to the everyday lives of workers, townsfolk, and communities negotiating modernity. Rich with perspectives on inequality, development, urbanization, and nation-building, the volume presents Malaysia not as a fixed narrative, but as an evolving conversation shaped by tension, aspiration, and reinvention.

The Economic History of Singapore traces Singapore’s remarkable transformation from a regional trading port into a global financial and innovation hub. Through archival insights and economic analysis, the book examines the turning points, strategies, and survival instincts that forged the city-state’s modern identity, revealing the human and historical dimensions behind its reputation for efficiency and growth.

30/04/2026

Discover the audacious world of superstar street artist Banksy, whose unflinching murals, impromptu urban sculptures and vandalized paintings constitute a thrilling journey through art history. Here, bestselling author Kelly Grovier presents and explores some of Banksy’s most recognizable works: provocatively reimagined masterpieces that challenge convention and illuminate the story of art in profound and unexpected ways.

29/04/2026

Alma Keshavarz’s The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps situates the IRGC as a central actor in modern hybrid warfare, arguing that while such warfare is not new, it has gained renewed strategic relevance in recent decades. The book frames the IRGC as a hybrid force that blends conventional and unconventional tactics—military, political, and ideological—to offset the superior conventional power of adversaries, particularly the United States. It highlights how Iran’s military doctrine is structured around identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities, enabling it to project influence across the Middle East while avoiding direct large-scale confrontation.

The study further contends that the IRGC has evolved beyond a purely military institution into a key instrument of Iran’s foreign policy, deeply embedded in its strategic outlook since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Keshavarz critiques the inconsistency of U.S. policy toward Iran, describing it as reactive rather than coherent, and positions the IRGC’s adaptability as a response to this shifting landscape. Ultimately, the book calls for greater attention to hybrid warfare in policymaking, presenting the IRGC as a case study of how such strategies shape regional power dynamics and challenge traditional understandings of conflict.

28/04/2026

The book offers a comprehensive documentation of wayang kulit Kelantan, tracing how the Ramayana—through Javanese, Thai, and Malay oral traditions—evolved into a distinct local shadow play shaped less by written texts than by fluid performance practices such as wayang kulit Melayu and nang talung. Drawing on years of research, it presents a remarkable photographic archive of over 1,200 puppets from Kelantan, Kuala Lumpur, and Penang, highlighting both the craftsmanship of their makers and the cultural shifts embedded in their forms.

Emerging from a meticulous and demanding process, Dr. Ghulam’s work navigates overlapping narratives, fragmented character histories, and multiple versions of the epic, carefully selecting and clarifying material while preserving its complexity. Combining textual study, regional comparison, and extensive interviews with master puppeteers, he reconstructs knowledge around many puppets—some dating back to the post–World War II era—whose origins and roles are often undocumented. More than a catalogue, the book reflects on transformation, continuity, and loss within an endangered tradition, standing as both a scholarly achievement and an urgent act of preservation for a fading cultural form.

24/04/2026

About 422 indie bookshops opened in 2025, up 31%, defying predictions of retail consolidation

24/04/2026

malam dan siang

aku merasa cemburu terhadapmu, kata malam
kaupunya pagi dan senja, cahaya benderang
dan denyut kalbu alam

mengapa harus kaucemburu, kata siang
aku adalah sebahagian darimu
menyambung kembali degup kita
yang terputus di hujung jalan

—— T. Alias Taib (Seberkas Kunci, 1985)

23/04/2026

Francesca Albanese, the first woman to serve as United Nations Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, conveys the spirit of a people through ten unforgettable stories of resilience and humanity. Widely regarded as one of the most lucid voices against Israel’s apartheid policies in Gaza and the West Bank, her advocacy has resonated globally, particularly in speaking out on the realities of the Palestinian genocide. In the wake of October 7, 2023, and Israel’s retaliatory war, the renowned Italian jurist has become a lightning rod for her unwavering defense of human rights.

Pre-orders are now open with a special 10% discount. The retail price is set at RM165.90, with copies expected to be available by 30 June 2026. The pre-order window closes on 10 May—secure your copy early via the link in comment.

14/04/2026

What we remember most about Adibah Amin is how she made everyday life feel worth paying attention to—she noticed the small things, the passing conversations, the little habits we often ignore, and wrote about them with honesty and quiet humour; she didn’t try to sound grand or preachy, but somehow her writing still made you pause and reflect, especially on how we live with each other in this country, across all our differences.

That same quality is what makes As I Was Passing so memorable—it feels simple when you read it, almost like someone just sharing thoughts in passing, but the more you sit with it, the more it stays with you; her observations are sharp without being harsh, and warm without trying too hard, and in that balance, she leaves behind something that still feels relevant, honest, and very human.

14/04/2026

Buku Dari Langkawi ke Sarawak: Lapan Sumber Perancis (1621-1899) / De Langkawi à Sarawak: Huit regards français (1621-1899) merupakan sumber-sumber primer pilihan dalam bahasa Perancis tentang kawasan yang kini berada dalam Malaysia. Lapan buah teks atau sebahagian daripada teks, yang ditulis oleh lapan penulis yang berbeza, dengan profil dan nasib yang pelbagai, telah dipilih daripada sumber-sumber berbahasa Perancis berdasarkan kriteria tertentu. Pertama, kisah langsung ini mencerminkan hubungan yang sudah lama dengan kawasan yang kemudiannya menjadi Malaysia. Kedua mengenai kepelbagaian kawasan geografi, kerana kelapan lapan orang ini membawa kita meneroka Selat Melaka, Kedah, Perak, Melaka, Johor dan Sarawak. Teks-teks ini mencerminkan suatu pengalaman peribadi dengan bermacam-macam sifat dan perasaan peribadi, motivasi, pandangan dunia, pengalaman dalam rangka konteks sejarah yang khas. Lima di antara lapan sumber ini belum pernah diterjemah dan diterbitkan dalam mana-mana bahasa asing. Buku ini berbentuk dwibahasa untuk memudahkan akses para pembaca kepada lapan sumber primer dalam bahasa asal, dilengkapi dengan anotasi hasil kajian yang khusus.

10/04/2026

Portal Kamus DBP

𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐌𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐒 𝐃𝐁𝐏

Sukacita dimaklumkan bahawa Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) telah membangunkan Portal Kamus DBP sebagai platform rujukan kamus dalam talian. Portal ini memuatkan data dan maklumat daripada 𝑲𝒂𝒎𝒖𝒔 𝑫𝒆𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒂 (2020) serta boleh diakses bermula pada 𝟏𝟎 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 melalui pautan https://kamus.dbp.gov.my.