Malaysian author Shaun Adam's labour of love, Acts of Resistance — Dol Said and the Naning War, published in September last year by Gerakbudaya Publishing (one of Southeast Asia's prominent publishers), aims to give a new, easy-to-read unbiased angle to Malaysia and Southeast Asia's history.
Supported by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (MyCreative Ventures and PENJANA) as a means to promote heritage education and assist the development and recovery of the creative economy in Malaysia, the book focuses on the indigenous village of Naning in Melaka and her resistance to the four colonial powers of Malaysia, as well as the larger context of the history of imperialism in Southeast Asia. Interestingly, some elements of the story dates back to the Crusade right up to World War 2.
Adam's narrative ties in archival records with folk narratives and oral history, creating a richer and more comprehensive narrative of the infamous Naning War that sparked off a history of unjust conquest and resistance.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam has always been fascinated by history and believes that only by examining our past that we can make sense of the present and have a better idea of where we're headed. As he admits in the author's note in the book, although he never pursued a traditional academic route, his interest in history led him on a different path, taking up the role of a part-time tutor during his college years and well into the years of his career.
He tutored high school students on the subject of history, and as he transformed the lengthy syllabus into exciting stories, he was always left intrigued about one particular historical account — the story of the small village of Naning and its chief, Dol Said.
According to Adam, "the story of Dol Said and Naning took place in a complex geopolitical context, shrouded in elements of controversy, mysticism, betrayal and a local sense of justice". Suffice it to say, the author believes there's more to the story than a few pages in a thick textbook.
Acts of Resistance was gifted to the United Nations Library and Archives Geneva in Switzerland. It was received by the Director of the Library, Francesco Pisano in the presence of the Head of Affairs of the Malaysian Embassy in Switzerland, Zuliera Zariz Azman. The book is envisioned as a heritage and cultural gift from Malaysia to the United Nations Library and Archives Collection to add to the library's collective wealth of knowledge.
The United Nations Library and Archives Geneva has been serving the international community as a centre for research and an instrument of international understanding since 1919, then part of the UN predecessor, the League of Nations. It also hosts a special collection of heritage and cultural books on countries from around the world, acquired through a selection by the United Nations Library Acquisitions Committee.
ACTS OF RESISTANCE, DOL SAID AND THE NANING WAR
Author: Shaun Adam
Pages: 160
Published by: Gerakbudaya Publishing
Available in Kinokuniya, MPH, Gerakbudaya, Popular and Shopee.