The A to Z of Malaysia encapsulates the development of Malaysia from prehistory to the early years of the 21st century. It covers not only Malaysia's history but also its politics, economy, multiethnic society, multiculturalism, scientific and technological developments, and the state of its environment. A host of contemporary issues and challenges are featured, including ethnic polarization, economic equity, and polygamy; concepts like Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Dominance), "Malaysian Malaysia," "Malay," and Islam Hadhari (Civilizational Islam); and terms like "Ali Baba" business, kiasi, bejalai, and "Twenty Points." Over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries are contained in this reference, covering everything from ethno-historical entries to those on culinary favorites and personalities. A chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and a bibliography complement the dictionary entries, enhancing the authoritative and up-to-date information provided.

"Fully illustrated by full-colour photographs and three-demensional drawings, this book documents the architecture of the traditional Malay house, giving details of the various housetypes, the construction system, the climatic design and the adaptations to the social and cultural needs of the Malays".--BOOKJACKET.

This book contains a collection of papers presented at a series of meetings organised by the Wessex Institute of Technology (WIT) dealing with sustainability, the environment and ecological issues. The complexity of the modern world presents new challenges to scientists and engineers that requires finding interdisciplinary solutions. Any problem solving carried out in the isolation of a particular field of expertise may give rise to a series of damaging effects which can create new and unintentional environmental and ecological problems. Specialisation, while required in our culture, needs to be kept under control by the understanding of the whole, which leads to the need of relying on interdisciplinary teams. Nowadays this can be easily achieved thanks to the massive advances in information technology which ensure continuous and immediate contact between all partners. This collaboration needs to be effective and to produce results that will lead to a better world. For this to happen, it is necessary that different groups of scientists and engineers acquire the necessary skills to be able to talk to each other. Furthermore, they need to understand the social and economic aspects of a given problem, in addition to the scientific and engineering issues involved. The Wessex Institute of Technology (WIT) has a long and very successful record in organising interdisciplinary conferences. The papers in this book are a reflection of the proceedings of some of those meetings.

This book provides an up-to-date account of housing policy systems in eight countries - Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. With one chapter devoted to each country, there are, in addition, introductory and concluding chapters, in which the editors identify both the similarities in the problems faced, and in the approaches adopted, by the governments of the Asian countries - setting them apart from the West - as well as the differences that indicate the variety of Asian solutions.

In the search for sustainable architecture, there is growing interest in the relationship between nature and design. In this vital new book, the termbioclimatic relating to the dynamic between climate and living organisms, is applied by the authors in focusing on countries where housing requires cooling for a significant part of the year. In this context, Bioclimatic Housing covers creative, vernacular architecture to present both the theory and practice of innovative, low-energy architecture. The book interweaves the themes of social progress, technological fixes and industry transformation within a discussion of global and country trends, climate types, solutions and technologies. Prepared under the auspices of a 5-year International Energy Agency (IEA) project, and with case studies from Iran, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka and Italy, this is a truly international and authoritative work, providing an essential primer for building designers, builders, developers and advanced students in architecture and engineering.

This revised and updated edition of the Chronicle of Malaysia brings the full dramatic sweep of Malaysia's history up to date, taking the reader through the nation's first 50 years from the formation of Malaysia in 1963 all the way to 2013. It is packed with illustrated news stories covering hundreds of the nation's key social, political, cultural and sporting events. As a compendium of all aspects of Malaysian life, the book captures the mood of the day with a sense of vividness and immediacy. Concise, accessible articles—revised and rewritten to engage today's readers—are introduced by headlines and liberally illustrated with photographs and specially commissioned cartoons. The book is structured chronologically, with an average of eight pages devoted to each year beginning with a succinct summary of the year's key events. A host of themes are covered: not just the major political and economic events but also the human side of the Malaysian experience—sports, fashion, music, the arts, architecture, lifestyle, disasters, crime and the social scene. These combine to give readers the feel of each era of Malaysia's past and enables them to draw parallels with the present.

This volume, a discerning examination of what might be termed Greater Malaysia, is the first comprehensive analysis of American-Malaysian relations and Malaysian foreign policy. A strategic geographic position and rich natural resources lend obvious importance to this region, which encompasses Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. But it is especially significant for its extraordinary political, cultural, and economic accomplishments. Achieving a peaceful transition from British colonies to independence, Malaysia and Singapore formed strong democratic governments and assumed an increasingly responsible role in the international community. The Malay, Chinese, and Indian residents of this area are a fine example of three communities of differing race, religion, and way of life existing together in harmony and cooperation. And the economic system, a successful combination of free enterprise and an extensive social welfare program, continues its stable development. Mr. Gould introduces his work with a geographic description of the lands, a lively ethnographic portrait of each of the three major racial communities, and a brief history of the numerous cultures that have had an impact on the Malaysian peoples. He then examines the governments of Malaysia, which have the problem of "creating a nation out of a multi-racial society in which communalism and local interests are far stronger than the sense of nationalism." Proceeding to the larger problem of establishing a Malaysian nation, he analyzes the forces promoting unity and disunity. Surveying Malaysia's economic progress, the author notes its dependence on the United States, the biggest buyer of Malaysia's rubber and tin, and he projects sustained economic growth. He then discusses Malaysia's regional and international relations, outlining those factors that influence its foreign policy. Concluding with a perceptive interpretation of the United States's connection to the area, he highlights the long history of friendship; the economic interdependence; the American commitment to help Malaysia maintain its political independence and further develop its viable economy; and recent aid and political relations.