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Catagory: Non Fiction

The Siege Within

When Malaysia’s sixth prime minister Najib Razak was sentenced to twelve years in prison and fined RM 210 million for stealing billions from the 1MDB state investment fund he had himself set up, it exposed a chain of events that began decades ago, and which continues to reverberate economically, financially and politically, bleeding the treasury and inflicting immeasurable pain on taxpayers for generations to come.

Malaysian journalist Leslie Lopez’s first book, The Siege Within, delves into the writer’s own archives of previously unpublished material to go back in time and show exactly how it was possible for a Malaysian prime minister to envisage his treacherous crime, and then to execute the dastardly deed. From its most ‘innocent’ beginning in a north Malaysian state, Lopez charts how Najib and his warlords set up the investment fund for the sole purpose of stealing from it.

Lopez’s literary debut goes on to show how 1MDB is not just about Najib. The book brings into sharp relief the Machiavellian schemes of a prime minister who sat at the top for more than two decades, and came back from retirement to become PM again in 2022, at the age of ninety-two. The Siege Within paints Mahathir Mohamed as the chief architect of a political system that paved the way for a criminal such as Najib to lie, cheat and steal his way to power, a system which then protected him from scrutiny and prosecution.

One-time central bank governor Zeti Aziz, and the extent of her relationship with the man who delivered billions to Najib on a silver platter, Low Taek Jho, come under a forensic spotlight as Lopez exposes the shocking series of events that culminated in the monstrous enormity of Najib’s deeds. It also depicts how the earth shook for the main players—in Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, the US and Middle Eastern states—once news broke of the biggest case of corruption in world history.

The Siege Within is the untold story behind the political crime that continues to make world headlines, and why a nation so full of promise has been brought to its knees.

The Future Fit Asian Organization

The first edition of The Future Fit Organisation: A Leader’s Guide to Transformation was a best seller across multiple continents. This suggests the leaders of today are still searching for answers.

Searching for the way forward during times of uncertainty, disruption, rising societal expectations, consumer pressure and rapid technological advancements.

Searching for insights which work with, not against, multigenerational workforces, the informal bamboo networks, powerful governments and the collectivist nature of Asia.

Driving and embedding change in complex organisations is no mean feat, and certainly not a cookie cutter approach. Yet books on this topic that adorn the business bookshelf are devoid of a “glo-calised” (global yet local) approach which considers the often invisible yet powerful forces such as ethnic culture, deep rooted tradition and national culture.

Change and transformation literature and strategies are traditionally set against a Western backdrop. All too often, the words “that won’t work in Asia” are uttered, yet no effort is expended trying to define a way that will work in the continent.

The second edition of The Future Fit Organisation series dives deep into research and grass-roots case studies from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, China and India and outlines how to localise change management strategies which to harmonise with the distinct cultures within Asia.

Fearless

This mesmerising memoir and guide to achieving your fullest potential from a trailblazing champion of women’s rights has the power to change your life.

Whatever your age, Fearless will inspire you to embrace your journey, confront adversity, and seize your destiny.

Sylvia Yu Friedman has led philanthropic initiatives for some of the world’s wealthiest families, transforming countless lives while shining a light on some of the worst human rights abuses of our time.

For two decades, her pioneering investigations into the dark underworlds of sex trafficking and modern-day slavery – even at the risk of her life – shattered barriers and charted a course for a new generation of philanthropists and changemakers.

In this captivating book, Sylvia takes readers on a journey through her life, marked by bravery, compassion, and a relentless commitment to changing the world for the exploited.

Through intimate stories of close calls, rock bottom moments, and triumphant breakthroughs, she reflects on her struggles as a nerdy Korean-Canadian immigrant kid grappling with racial discrimination, the highs and lows of her adventurous career, and her ultimate realisation that true freedom comes from serving others.

Along the way, she offers a wellspring of hope and insights on identity, overcoming heartbreak and toxic environments, finding love, and conquering self-doubt in this anthology of experiences drawn from philanthropy, journalism, and cross-cultural workplaces.

This book is Sylvia’s letter to her younger self, a rallying call to laugh unabashedly and harness the power of love. It’s a blueprint for discovering the limitless power within to live fearlessly.

Self-Improved Me

Being a woman in this modern society is getting more challenging each day. There are a lot of expectations from our closest ones and even pressures from strangers on the internet.

“When will you get married?”
“Why does your child behave that way? You must be too busy working.”
“You haven’t joined any Pilates class yet? Like, ever??”
“Beyonce also has 24 hours in a day, you know???

They seeped into our minds without realizing it, creating guilt and making it difficult to be aware of ourselves and what we truly aim for. There were times we did something only out of fear of missing out because everybody seemed to be doing it (or at least, that’s what social media told us).

Self-awareness and mindfulness about our purposes are the first steps to gaining clarity in life. They are part of the self-discovery journey, where we honor our growth process and embrace our imperfections.

This illustrated book offers a toolkit that doesn’t promise a one-size-fits-all method. It’s about the discovery process itself. With bite-sized writings and illustrations, it aims to help get us to know ourselves better and appreciate our unique way of progressing in life. It includes exercise templates and practical tips for arranging our priorities, measuring our progress, and making better decisions based on self-reflection and evaluation.

Startup Mindsets

In today’s rapidly evolving and digital world, every global leader must employ a Startup Mindset to thrive and get ahead.
Born in the Philippines, Earl Valencia is an award-winning tech leader and venture-backed startup founder. Dan Gonzales lived through the grind of Silicon Valley as an investor, writer and the host of the popular Startup Mindsets podcast. Together, they have distilled lessons from hundreds of conversations with founders, venture capitalists and ecosystem builders. How do you balance a changing landscape while staying true to your core values? How do you stay relentless in the face of adversity? In other words, how can you think like a startup?
This book unveils the secrets of the Silicon Valley ecosystem and guides readers on the mindsets that differentiate the leaders who were trained from the industrial economy of the past from those who have grown and transcended into a digital-first world. Those who dare to take on the next disruptive shift will see their impact skyrocket to unparallelled heights.
Through compelling stories and actionable strategies, get inspired to apply the Startup Mindset to your own life and lead the new innovation-driven and digital economy today.

Saving the Planet

In December 2022, 40-year-old Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was appointed as Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC). A career politician, his first ministerial appointment was a baptism of fire as he was thrust into the complex world of environmental policy.
While “green issues” had previously only been an occasional part of his work and activism, executing the Malaysian government’s ambitious sustainability plans brought home to Nik Nazmi how crucial solving climate change is to the country’s survival. He comes to realise that a key component of this task includes winning public support for the required transitions and changes, especially in the face of rising climate change denialism and pessimism.
Saving the Planet relates Nik Nazmi’s experiences as NRECC Minister [later redesignated as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES)] and his thoughts on connected issues ranging from water management to climate financing. He stresses that developing countries—which are especially vulnerable to the destruction that ensues from environmental degradation—back climate action but require viable support from their wealthier counterparts.
Ultimately, climate change must be dealt with not only urgently but also inclusively if humanity is to succeed. It is fundamentally a moral and political challenge that will require radically changing our societies to become more just.
Saving the Planet is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the intersections between politics and climate change, as well as for an authentic voice at the frontlines of climate action in the Global South.

Growing Up To Tell The Truth

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.

Rewrite the Rules

In Rewrite The Rules, Ritu G Mehrish and Rajita Saxena empower Asian women leaders to challenge the status quo and redefine success on their own terms. “Rewrite The Rules” is a call to action that invites you to embrace your power, break free from limiting beliefs, and forge your own path to success.

Drawing from the diverse experiences of over 200 women leaders across Asia, this groundbreaking book focuses on the five core areas essential for thriving as a female leader: Being Confident, Creating Visibility, Building Networks, Finding Balance, and Defining Success.

Whether you’re an emerging or senior leader, this book will equip you with the tools and inspiration to make your mark and reach your full potential.

Awakening the Advocate

If you’re looking for a way to make a positive impact on the world, Matthew S. Friedman’s inspiring book is the perfect guide. Through his incredible experiences and tireless activism over 35 years, he shows us that one person truly can create a ripple effect that leads to global change.

As you read his powerful stories, you’ll be reminded of the immense suffering in the world, but you’ll also be uplifted by the sheer strength and determination of those who fight against it. Friedman’s message is clear: we each have the power to make a difference in our own unique way.

This captivating sequel to his previous memoir, ‘Where Were You: A Profile of Modern Slavery,’ is bound to leave a lasting impact on you. It will ignite your passion, challenge you, and encourage you to take action toward bringing about meaningful change.

In this book, you’ll learn how a once-shy boy from a New England town dedicated his life to battling the scourge of human trafficking in over 40 countries.

Join us on an unforgettable journey with a man whose compassion and relentless dedication to justice have made him a global force in the fight against modern slavery. Together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Penguin Select Classics: Meditations

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”

One of the earliest works of Greek philosophy, Meditations is a collection of deep insights into the complexities of human emotions.

In his exemplary work, Marcus Aurelius expresses his gratitude to the ones from whom he learnt important qualities and lessons in life. He reflects over a wide range of subjects including the mind and thoughts, life and death, goodness, self-judgement, leadership.

Told through the story of five emperors, Aurelius offer a series of reflections as the emperors struggle to understand these truths of life. Marcus Aurelius’s philosophy has the strength to align the human mind with clarity of direction and bring calm to distressed heart.

  • A profound collection of insights into human emotions and life’s complexities.
  • Aligns the mind with clarity and brings calm to a distressed heart.
  • Explores self-judgment, discipline, and leadership through personal reflections.
  • Expresses gratitude to those who shaped Marcus Aurelius’s wisdom.
  • A timeless guide to navigating life’s challenges with resilience and virtue.