The writing of this slender edition is not to produce a historical text, and neither is it an effort to be scholarly. At best, it is an exercise to motivate the Malays to the path of greater elan by referring to critical incidents of the past to project a focused enthusiasm for the future. This book takes a close look at how far the Malays as a race have come. Over 5000 years of civilisational history, the Malays have evolved into a proud and dynamic race. The reader is taken back to the Old Malay Empire of Malacca and shown how it provided the basic framework for an orderly mercantile nation state life, resplendent with colour, vigour and power. Propped by a strong religion, intercultural finesse and commercial vivacity triumphed for more than 300 years in the hands of the Malays until the successive intrusion of three Western powers. this book also provides an insight into the workings of the Malay leadership. With perseverance and dignity, it has led the nation towards progress and development in all fields of endeavour. Today, in the throes of globalisation, the Malays face yet another test of survival in an increasingly borderless world. The authors perceptively bring to view the challenges ahead that will test the very fibre of a much maligned people. - Back cover.