M&C Saatchi Malaysia, an advertising agency, launched the 2nd Edition of Dialog: Thoughts on Tunku’s Timeless Thinking.

The new edition is a follow-up to the 2017 anthology book of Tunku Abdul Rahman’s enduring wit and wisdom, and the responses of many contemporary Malaysians to it.

Dialog provides a fresh new look at Tunku’s thinking using his quotes as a springboard to spur deeper debate.

Malaysia’s first Prime Minister’s values are undimmed in relevance, even as Malaysians remembered the 116th anniversary of his birth on February 8.

The intention of this 2nd Edition is not merely to offer history or analysis, but above all, inspiration for all Malaysians.

The book hopes to spark a vibrant dialogue around Tunku’s timeless values.

The new edition features new essays by some of Malaysia’s foremost thinkers, activists and commenters, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Khairy Jamaluddin, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and Dr. Serina Rahman.

In addition, there is a posthumous contribution from former cabinet minister, Tan Seri Sanusi Junid, featuring illuminating and humorous anecdotes of Tan Seri Sanusi’s many interactions from youth to manhood with his fellow Kedahan, the Tunku.

Artist, Arif Rafhan Omar, also contributes a special tribute portrait of Tunku, plus commentary.

Dialog is a labour of love that has united dozens of Malaysians of all races, ages and walks of life such as artists, photographers, illustrators, writers and others, who have come together to create a book that is a powerful and timely tribute to “Bapa Malaysia”.

M&C Saatchi Malaysia had conceptualised, designed and edited the book with  supports from organisations such as the One Academy, an art and design college; Projek57, a social enterprise dedicated to keeping Tunku’s values alive; and the Rojak Projek, who had created a spice portrait of Tunku, made up of spices from all of Malaysia’s major races.

M&C Saatchi Malaysia’s chief executive officer and Tunku’s granddaughter, Datin Seri Sharifah Menyalara Hussein, who is the book’s essay contributor, summarised the creation of Dialog as a collaborative “labour of love” across races and religions that would have warmed Tunku’s own heart.

“Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku” are the very first lines of our national anthem, Negaraku, which were written by Tunku Abdul Rahman himself.

“They have been sung countless times, by countless Malaysians, since they were young.

“This coming together of Malaysians in their shared unity and spirit of camaraderie in collaborative initiatives such as the development of the second edition of Dialog are a powerful expression of patriotism and love for Malaysia,” she said.

The book will be available at most major booksellers as well as online from Gerakbudaya.

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