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This study of deforestation in Malaysia's three regions examines the different factors that shape them, the institutions and policies that determine forestry development, the ecological impact of deforestation, and sustainability. Much Malaysian deforestation reflects agricultural expansion or rural development and poverty alleviation projects, while logging became more significant after independence. Sabah and Sarawak have relied increasingly on the exploitation of their timber resources, and private greed and corruption at state level have overridden federal policies of sustainable management. The authors take a hard look at the economic and political forces in the international tropical timber trade. An ecologically rapacious emphasis on growth, coupled with politically powerful distribution coalitions, give little chance for policy reforms and no hope of radical change. The only pressure that has the slightest effect, it seems, is international criticism.
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Songket, a rich luxurious ceremonial fabric woven at one time for the exclusive use of the local royalty, is today organized as a cottage industry in Eastern Malaysia that produces the fabric exclusively for use at weddings and state functions.In this pioneering study of songket, Selvanayagam provides a fascinating historical survey of the cloth, including its uses, weaving techniques, design structure, and offers a full description of the complex register of motifs and patterns ornamenting the surface. ... Read more

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This is an account of Australia's military involvement in the Malayan Emergency waged against the armed forces of the Malayan Communist Party between 1948 and 1960, and in confrontation, an undeclared war initiated by Indonesia to destabilise the emergency Federation of Malaysia and fought largely along the common border in the northern part of Borneo between 1962 and 1966. As part of the British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve, Australian soldiers engaged in protracted operations in northern Malaya and along the Thai border, while Australian airmen flew bombing sorties against suspected enemy concentrations, usually in deep jungle. While the Emergency concluded, Australian forces saw service again in the 1960s as part of a Commonwealth force in Borneo. Operations in both campaigns were gruelling and drawn out. Their success helped to protect emergency democracy of post-colonial Malaysia, while they also provided valuable experience for Australian soldiers in the skills of jungle warfare, counter-insurgency and small unit action. ... Read more

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One of a series of five volumes on the government and politics of the ASEAN countries, this volume covers various aspects of the government and politics of Malaysia.Written by leading experts in their respective fields, the eight essays presented here analyze the principal elements of Malaysian politics and administration along with their historical background, discuss the evolution of Malaysia's political parties and foreign policy, and examine the relationship between politics and the police. ... Read more

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This is a collection of opinion pieces written by Ooi Kee Beng and published in the mass media after Abdullah Badawi became Malaysia's Prime Minister in October 2004.The articles analyse the many difficult aspects of leadership that have been facing Abdullah Badawi over the last two years. The book discusses the country's underlying problems, the dilemma involved in succeeding Mahathir Mohamad, and draws conclusions about nation building in general. The leading party and its many weaknesses and strengths, the role of Malaysian Islam and the growing importance of regionalism and globalisation are also discussed. ... Read more

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An ethnographic study of the cultural politics of urban redevelopment in one Malaysian community in the 1990s, looking at changing notions of culture, identity, and urban space. ... Read more

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Why and how do countries buy the armaments and defense equipment they deem necessary? This volume includes case studies based on extensive original research by experts from the national academic and defense communities to answer this important question. In particular, it considers whether arms procurement can become more responsive to the broader objectives of security and public accountability. ... Read more

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Looks at the many landscapes and ecosystems found in Peninsular Malaysia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

"Wild" not recreational Malaysia! BEAUTIFUL!!!
As the title implies this beautiful volume is about Malaysia's incredible natural diversity. The fact that it also covers some of the regions peoples and their affairs is of added interest but it is really a dream for anyone who is interested in nature and ecology. There are a ton of cheap travel guides for those looking to do the average tourist thing so don't expect this to be a guide to the "hotspots". Buy this gorgeous and informative volume and then get the others in the series such as Wild Indonesia, Wild Thailand and Wild India. You will love them all!

Captivating, but lacking in a few aspects
This book is not just for reading -- its forte is viewing pleasure. The 400+ magnificient full colour pictures depicting the biodiversity of the Malaysian region enthralls and captivates, the only deficiency being thatsome of Sarawak's ( East Malaysia ) prominent tourist destinations weregiven insufficient coverage. There were pictures of the Orang Asli,orang-utans and various other flora and fauna indigenous to the region, butthere was scarce mention of the Lambir Waterfalls and the Niah CaveSystems, which, in my estimation, are absolute wonders ofnature.

Overall, this book gives one a delightful insight into thecultural, racial, biological and geographical diversity and richness ofboth the Malaysia peninsular, Sarawak and Sabah. Unfortunately, itconcentrates too much on wildlife conservation areas and too little onrecreation hotspots. Nevertheless, the magnificient photographs and fluentnarrative are ample in guaranteeing one's satisfaction. This book isrecommended for those keen on in-depth exploration of Malaysia's vastecological treasures, particularly those connected with eco-conservation. ... Read more

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This lavishly illustrated guidebook introduces the reader to the most typical, representative, and colorful birds of the Malay peninsula, an area extending from southern Thailand to Singapore. ... Read more

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This identification guide offers color photographs of almost 300 species of birds from Malaysia and Singapore. Organized by habitat, the birds are presented in their natural surroundings. Also included are chapters on breeding and migration behavior of the birds and details on where to find them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Decent introductory guide to half the region's birds
Basics: 1999, flex-cover, 258 pages, 290 species in color photos, no range maps

Covering almost half of the birds (290 of 638) found on the Malaysia/Singapore peninsula, this photo guide offers one medium-sized (2 x 2-inch) color photograph of each bird.Although some of the subjects are small, they are typically well lit and show the bird clearly.Most of the photos are of birds with little sexual dimorphism or of the breeding male.This limitation combined with only 45% of the region's birds depicted means you should regard this book as an introduction to the peninsula's birds and not as a strong field guide.The book will also serve as a good practice source, at least for the one plumage that may be illustrated.

The brief text consists of three segments:Description, Distribution, and notes on habits, habitat, and voice.This information is generally good but may not always be useful to distinguish the bird from a similar species.

There are two quirks about this book that make it a little awkward to use.One, the birds are grouped into five different habitat types.This causes related species to be scattered across the book.If you want to look at the Little Pied Flycatcher and the Asian Brown Flycatcher in the book, under which habitat type should you look for each:"Montane Rainforest" or "Gardens and Parks"?If you're not familiar with the bird's habitat preference, you must look up the bird in the index, which leads to the second quirk.

The index can list several page numbers next to each bird, but only one brings you to the photo and text.The others pages refer you to merely a mention of the bird in an introduction or in another species's account .Bolding the page number containing the photo would have been very helpful.

A nice addition to the book is an introduction to each of the five habitat types.These introductions are 5-10 pages long and include locations, directions to, and maps of birding locations.Another 41 pages begin this book and nicely cover topics of breeding, migration, birding techniques, ringing, and photography.

There are other complete field guides for this region, but there are few photographic guides.This is one of the better photo books which competes with two others by the same author and by Davison & Fook.

I've listed several related books below...
1) A Field Guide to the Birds of West Malaysia and Singapore by Jeyarajasingam/Pearson
2) A Photographic Guide to Birds of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore by Davison/Fook
3) Birds of Singapore by Hails/Jarvis
4) Birds of Fraser's Hill (Malaysia): An Illustrated Guide and Checklist by Strange
5) Birds of Taman Negara (Malaysia): An Illustrated Guide and Checklist by Strange/Yong
6) Birds of Thailand by Robson
7) A field guide to the birds of South-East Asia by King
8) A Guide to the Birds of Southeast Asia by Robson
9) A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Southeast Asia by Strange ... Read more