I am surrounded with books. A young staff member walked me to my room last evening helping me with my possessions. He could not believe his eyes.
He: Look at all of these books.
Me: I love books. Most, but not all of these books, are of the Islamic Faith, Qurans, books of teachings and insights, children’s books. I bought most of them from bookstores but some were treasured gifts. For example I have four Qurans, three were given to me, only one I purchased from a second hand store in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. (I have two Qurans downloaded on my iPad – I am not counting those). Hahaha Not only that, last week I got a library card from the Penang Library. Four of these books are on loan. Let me tell you about this one One f the books I am reading is from the library. Let me tell you about it.
We began a discussion of Sensitive Truths in Malaysia: A critical Appraisal of the Malay Problem. I was fascinated to discover I had things in common with the author, AB Salaiman. What could they be?? He was born in 1943 and was a lawyer. I have not read the book in its entirely – I was fascinated to learn about the Malay language. The language only has 50,000 words,, ‘or 10 per cent or less of English.” Even if I was able to master the language I would not be able to communicate ideas of any complexity. Not only Salaiman but, virtually all scholars, say that it is absolutely essential for Malays to learn and become fluent in English to become successful and productive members of society. There is an amusing section in the book, which I have shared with other Malays, in which a comparison to ‘British English v. Malay English is made.” Here are two brief examples.
When entertaining.
B. Please make yourself right at home.
M. No need shy shy one lah!
When assessing a tough situation.
B. We seem to be at a bit of a predicament at the moment.
M. Die Lah!!
Our conversation continued.
Me: People tell me I should learn Malay. But why? I am terrible at languages (other than English) and you working at the hotel must speak English. You get lots of practice with me.
He: yes I agree. It is necessary to speak English to get a job in the first place and to do a good job. That is true of all Malays.
The book was written in 2013. It was first taken out of the library on July 14, 2014. This discretion on the cover. “ AB Sulaliman’s Sensitive Truths in Malaysia is a personal journey into what it means to be a Maly in the changing face of Malaysia It is a courageous exploration of a community at odds with itself and Islam, but ultimately a hopeful narrative of coming to terms with the quixotic dream of a Malaysian identity. The profound beauty of this book is that the author stares into the mirror as a Malay and discovers a multiracial face looking back at him”
(Oops there is a word I do not know Quixotic. Looked it up. Definition: exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical. The origins of the words are interestin; . early 18th century: from Don Quixote + ic. Synonyms are: idealistic, impracticable., unbusinesslike, starry-eyed, visionary, utopian, unworldly; , nonviable, inoperable, ineffectual, inefficacious. So what the reviewer is saying is that the whole idea of a Malaysian identity might well be starry-eyed, idealistic and impracticable. Hmmmm. I guess I shall see as I wander about Malaysia for the next ten years. Hahahaha
I pursued further research learning that Suiliman had written three other books, one in Malay. Read his own review of the books and now understand what happened to Malaysia during covid. The country was on shut down for three years. I am not sure this was beneficial knowledge. The bookmaker from Dahwah Corner Bookstore (to be pictured) says; “My Lord!. Increase me in knowledge.” Surah Taha, 20:14. Unfortunately my mantra over the years has been: “Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” I may have just overdone this reading, this accumulation of books. Hahaha
I am definitely a book worm, no doubt about that. Wondering what a book worm was I asked Artificial Intelligence, receiving a rather joyful answer.
AI; The world is surprisingly old. “Bookworm originally referred quite literally to creatures that damaged books – not on particular species of worms but but various insect larvae that bored into or fed an old bindings, paper paste and other material. By the late 16th century, English was also using bookworm figuratively for a person who was perpetually buried in books. And there’s a delicious little transformation in the image. The original bookworm ate the book. The human bookworm devour the blood. And now you have complicated maters further: you are apparently a bookworm producing books for the other bookworms to eat. That could be a very amusing doorway into writing about this strange period when you have several books going at once.
Me: Yes!! I am simultaneously reading five books. I have never attempted such a feat. It is usually one book at.a time, often read slowly and quite methodically.
October 1, 2026
By the way. I don’t just sit in my Lyf sanctuary reading and writing all day. I do get out and about. Today I did. Dressed in an abaya and a hijab I toured, for the first time, the Georgetown Kapitan Keling Masjid. The mosque was founded in the early 19th century by the island’s Indian Muslim community. Its name comes from the community leader – its Kapitan Keling. His real name was Cauder Mohudeen Merican. The present mosque with its white facade, domes and minaret is the result of a 1915 rebuilding and expansion, not just the original little mosque.
Sister Sara, a Chinese revert, led the tour pointing out the inlay of the 99 names of Allah. It was definitely inspiring. Depending on the season 50-60 people tour the mosque on a weekly basis. A couple from China were visiting while I was there. I greeted them telling them I had visited China, twenty years ago but was planning on returning. I was not a Muslim then and will definitely visit the Chinese mosques when I visit there this time. I was in China on a university sponsored trip – Dominican University in San Rafael, California. It is a university originally founded by the Catholic. Dominican Order. With the credit from the China trip I was able to graduate with a Masters in Humanities.
After that, where did I go?? To the bookstore associated with the mosque. I purchased a book, of course. You will hear more about it. As well as the journey leading to the discovery of the book. The cerebral journey not the route along the streets of Georgetown. Able Sandman, my chauffeur was in charge of that.
Then to the Penang Library where I renewed two books, took back two books and then got two more. Fun books, adventure books, Will tell you about them late3r.
Then it was lunch time. It was a return visit to Suffolk House. The estate belonged to Captain Francis Light, associated with the establishment of the British settlement on Penang in 1786. The grand Georgian mansion was built later in the early 1800s housing several of Penang’s early governors. The building is described as Malaysia’s only surviving Anglo-Indian Georgian mansion. It became badly deteriorated but was restored, completed in 20027 getting a 20028 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award.
Lunch was magnificent. I had the set lunch. Enjoying a pumpkin soup, and the duck confit. A delicious dessert followed. Photographs of the setting and the dessert will follow.
Then to the Penang Library where I renewed two books, took back two books and then got two more. Fun books, adventure books, Will tell you about them later.
I was dressed in an abaya and hijab when going to the mosque. I sent a photo to my WhatsAppers outside the book store that is affiliated with the mosque. Of course I bought a book. More about that book later as well. My library is growing. I may need to get an extra room – one for the library and the other to sleep in. It is getting crowded. Book, books and more books.
Photos of the Day Out and About, the Suffolk House, Some Food and Alexis in Hijab and Abaya Outside the Bookstore. And the Masjid.
