Description
About the Author

The son of Syed Jaafar Albar, known as The Lion of UMNO, an inveterate figure in the nationalist politics of pre- and post-independence Malaya/Malaysia, Syed Hamid Albar grew into politics from the experience of the legal profession and an early involvement in social movements.

The Memoirs of Syed Hamid Albar is a lyrical, lucid, historically insightful reflection by one of Malaysia’s most experienced and longest serving cabinet ministers. Having occupied some of the most important positions in various Malaysian administrations, and during some of the most critical periods in Malaysia’s recent history, the Memoirs provide a living testament to the shifting politics, governmental preoccupations and regional and international challenges of a nation-in-becoming.

The Memoirs offer respectful observations of the first generation of Malaysian pubic figures, including Malaysia’s first and second Prime Minister’s Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Abdul Razak respectively; candid and forthright reflections on a relationship with Malaysia’s longest serving and most enigmatic Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, and insight into the vacillating fortunes of Abdullah Badawi, Mahathir’s successor.

The Memoirs commences with recollections of lineage and genealogy and is also an intimate remembrance of early family life, of a formative generation of local Malays venturing to study abroad and, most prominently, a narrative of the relationship between father and son, enveloped by the course of history.
Syed Hamid Albar began his career in the Judicial and Legal Service as a magistrate pursuing a career in the financial and banking sector.

He began his political career as Member in the Malaysian Parliament from 1990 to 2013, during which time he held various ministerial positions including Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Minister of Justice, Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs and most notably, Minister of Foreign Affairs. From 2010-2013 Syed Hamid Albar served as Chairman of the Land Public Transport Commission of Malaysia (SPAD). Tan Sri Dr. Syed Hamid is currently an Adjunct Professor of three (3) universities, namely, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), University Malaya (UM) and University Melaka (UNIMEL) as well as Chairman of the OIC Study Group (OICSG).

Syed Hamid Albar has contributed books, essays and articles to national, regional, and the international media as well as academic journals. He has appeared in many political and current affairs programmes, including on BBC, CNN, ALJAZEERA as well as with local TV channels. He is also actively involved with regional and global humanitarian activities. He was the founder and President of HUMANITI Malaysia, an NGO involved in humanitarian activities and served as a Special Envoy to Myanmar for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Since July 2020 he has been Advocate and Solicitor and Managing Partner in Noor Amran & Co since July 2020. Syed Hamid Albar is presently Chairman of the World Islamic Economic Forum.

Authors

Growing Up to Tell the Truth: The Memoirs