Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pledges 100% of royalties from his latest book to support underprivileged students in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has pledged all royalties from his latest book to support underprivileged students.
He announced that every cent earned from ‘Rethinking Ourselves: Justice, Reform and Ignorance in Postnormal Times’ will be channelled to poor students in the country.
The book is published by Hurst for the UK, US and European markets, Penguin for Asia, and Hong Kong University Press for China and East Asia.
Projected royalties are expected to be significant as pricing is determined by the publishers.
“Let me make it clear that every cent of the royalty will be spent on poor students in this country,” Anwar said.
He added that his staff will ensure all received royalties are immediately directed to the students.
Anwar was speaking at the book launch at Tsutaya Books in Pavilion Bukit Jalil.
He elaborated that the book is not a traditional autobiography but a compilation of the evolution of his ideas since the 1970s.
It touches on themes such as justice, reform, corruption, religious extremism and the challenges of Malaysia’s multiracial society.
He said the work focuses on the evolution of his ideas over several decades rather than serving as a personal autobiography.
It addresses issues such as corruption, racism, religious extremism and broader societal challenges.
Anwar also highlighted emerging global challenges, including digital transformation, artificial intelligence and the energy transition.
He stressed that technological progress should not come at the expense of human values.
The prime minister said the book was written over more than a decade.
It draws partly from his personal notes during imprisonment at Sungai Buloh Prison, as well as reflections from his life as an activist, minister and political detainee.
Anwar is also known for his earlier work, “The Asian Renaissance”, published in 1996 when he was deputy prime minister.
“That book was dedicated to my parents,” he said.
“This book, Rethinking Ourselves, is a special dedication to my lovely wife, Azizah.”
Earlier, Anwar signed a replica of the book cover displayed on an easel.
He then proceeded to a meet-and-greet session to autograph the 240-page book for visitors.
The prime minister also spent about an hour mingling with attendees at the bookstore.
The event began at about 1.30pm and was attended by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Also present were Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim, academics and students.
For the record, “The Asian Renaissance” outlines the idea of a revival of Asian civilisation.
It is based on values of knowledge, culture, openness and justice, as a response to global imbalances. – Bernama
