I have just completed this manuscript about a few weeks ago. It contains approx. 170 pages. At the moment, it is still under 'cooling off period', perhaps I can add a few more sections within one week or so from now. Then, maybe I'll send it to the varsity's publishing unit next two weeks so that my ADS509 class can have a look at it before too long. This book is written with two intentions in mind: (i) To provide additional reading materials for the students in the Faculty of Administrative Science & Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM); and (ii) As a personal appreciation of the contributions rendered to the people by all Malaysian premiers since 1957. There are not many books available on the history of Prime Ministers in Malaysia. Since 1957, the people of this nation have witnessed only 5 Prime Ministers. Being a new nation, not much can be said about the leadership history of all Prime Ministers. Unlike in the United Kingdom for example, where the first Prime Minister was elected in 1887, or in Indonesia, when its first President came into office in 1945, Malaysia has only a few political episodes on the history of its prime ministers which are narrated in a relatively few publications.The young generation of this nation need more books with local contents for their reading pleasure. Thus, this book is written with this awareness in mind: that not much has been written about the leadership aspects of all the nation’s premiers. One of the books however, is commendable. Authored by Anthony S.K. Shorm (2002), the book, entitled “Malay Political Leadership” perhaps can be considered as most comprehensive accounts of the leadership aspects of Malaysian prime ministers. Likewise, there is a substantive amount of works devoted to the analysis of Tun Dr. Mahathir’s thoughts. For example, a series of Encyclopedia of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad are available on the market. There are also publications produced by various publishers, including those produced under the Collection of Mahathir’s Mind, a joint-programme between Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Utusan Publications & Distributors. Apart from that, the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has also established a special centre in the Tun Abdul Razak’s library – the Dr. Mahathir’s Collection – which is opened for everyone for academic devotion. One significant effort, I must say, would be the Faculty of Administrative Science’s (FSPPP) involvement in designing the Malaysian Premiership Studies syllibus as one of the elective courses offered to the UiTM’s students. Although the course is focusing more on the contributions of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, it also provides considerable discussions of the former Malaysian Prime Ministers since the Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra’s era. It is my sincere hope that this book benefits its readers in terms of their awareness of the undying efforts of all the Prime Ministers. The Prime Ministers have all given their very best leading and helping the people develop our nation. This book, perhaps, is my little contribution in acknowledging their good deeds to the whole nation. And I pray that Allah (SWT) returns their good deeds accordingly, InsyaAllah.In this book I have made a small attempt at discussing some aspects of political leadership of Malaysia’s prime ministers. In the beginning sections I took a brief look at the concept of Malaysian polity. I went on to consider some of the issues and theories on leadership in general and it's applications in political leadership studies. Some perspectives on the leadership of prime ministers were then discussed. I then moved on to touch, though briefly, on the leadership of each of the prime ministers.I must admit that the issues which I have elaborated in this book are not meant to be exaustive. As this book is written with ‘leadership’ in mind, I thought by giving some differing perspectives would help, in one way or another, my students in particular, to gain some understandings of what leadership is all about. I have included – some are discussed at lengthy – topics on Malay-Muslim and Malaysian polity so that students know exactly the reasons why the current Malaysian polity is indeed very unique. In doing that, I think it is perhaps adequate to limit the coverage of this book on a few selected topics so as to help achieve the main objective of this book, i.e as an additional reading materials that is meant for student in the faculty.
