Liberal, Malay And Malaysian: Writings Of A Walking Contradiction

For some people, to be Liberal, Malay and Malaysian is to be a walking contradiction, to be pulled in more directions than your body can take. If you’re Malay you aren’t supposed to be liberal and of course you must be a Malay before you’re a Malaysian! Right? Not for Zan Azlee. In Liberal, Malay and Malaysian Zan passionately argues for a Malaysian and a Malay identity which moves beyond identity politics, fatwas, censorship and moral policing and which allows individuals to be who they want to be. Covering themes of politics, race, religion and protest, Zan records a nation in turmoil, caught between activism and apathy and counters this with an honest and open assessment of Malaysian life.

Zan Azlee is a journalist, writer and documentary filmmaker. In the past decade, he has been detained by the Lebanese army while attempting to cross the border into Syria, cowered under the bed of his hotel when he heard gunshots in Afghanistan, saved by protestors from concrete blocks thrown by police in Egypt, tear gassed by riot forces in Turkey and rescued by the police when he had leg cramps during a Bersih demonstration in Kuala Lumpur. He has authored six books and made several documentaries that have been screened at various international and local film festivals and won awards at the Festival Filem Malaysia, Anugerah Seri Angkasa and Malaysian Video Awards. Follow his exploits on Fatbidin.com.