Telling It Straight

An outspoken commentator on Malaysia's social and political affairs, Marina Mahathir takes on the issues, ideas and institutions of the day in her latest book, Telling it Straight. She highlights unpalatable truths, derides tired old ways and challenges the status quo. She asks the questions that need to be asked – and is unafraid of proposing solutions.

In Telling it Straight, she touches on subjects as diverse as human trafficking, the underclass, flashmobs, Islamic law enforcement, corruption and plain idiocy. She defends the rights of the discriminated, and makes clear her stand for individual integrity and her respect for diversity and dissent.

Marina's fortnightly column has been published in The Star newspaper for more than 20 years. Telling it Straight contains the best of her columns published from 2003 to 2012 as well as the original versions of several pieces that were banned, spiked or censored. Her columns are presented thematically, many of them with specially written introductions that provide context to the issues with which they deal. The book also includes a foreword by renowned political scientist and historian Dr Farish Noor.

Indispensable to every Malaysian and everyone who wants to know Malaysia, Telling it Straight is a lively exploration into the nation's psyche and a common sense manifesto for a better future.

Marina Mahathir has worked as a journalist, public relations practitioner, television producer and as a women's rights and HIV/AIDS activist. She served as president of the Malaysian AIDS Council for 12 years from 1993–2005. She is also the daughter and eldest child of the Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister. In 2010 she was named UN Person of the Year by the United Nations in Malaysia.