The Long Nightmare - My 17 Years As A Political Prisoner, book launch by Said Zahari

Said Zahari, a former anti-colonialist newspaper editor detained for 17 years without trial under the Internal Security Act in Singapore, launches the English edition "The Long Nightmare" and the Malay edition "Dalam Ribuan Mimpi Gelisah" of his memoir in Kuala Lumpur on Monday 16th July, 2007. While the Chinese edition was launch at the Southern College in Johor, on 1st July 2007 with introductory speech by Dr Lim Hock Siew, a founding member of the PAP who broke ranks in 1961 to form the Barisan Sosialis, but was subsequently arrested and detained without trial for 20 years from 1963 to 1982 under ISA in Singapore (Which make him the second longest-held political prisoner in Singapore after Chia Thye Poh). Said Zahari is now a Permanent Resident of Malaysia, he still retain his Singapore citizenship. He will be in Singapore soon to promote the book. It is unlikely that the Singapore Government will impose any official ban, but local distributors and retailers may be fearful of carrying the title. I call up Borders at Wheelock Place for this book, but no luck... I will get it when I'm back in KL.

Said Zahari first book, 'Dark Clouds At Dawn', was published in 2001 and is available in Singapore. The documentary' Zahari's 17 Years', made by Martyn See about his years in detention, has been banned by the Singapore Government. But you can watch it on google video.

Encouraged by Said Zahari to unveil the other side of history, Singapore’s Dr Lim Hock Siew has also decided to publish his memoirs soon. We will anticipate this memoirs by him which will add more detailed event on the history of Singapore politic . You can read it here at Malaysiakini.

This book is now available in Malaysia retailing at RM$25. I found out about Select Books in Singapore arranging to stock it but there is no confirmation yet?

Also read related book " Ousted! by Patrick Keith (Media Masters 2005) " the Book reviewer at Paul Karl Lukacs: How To Make Enemies and Alienate People

Tags|Books|Politic|Malaysian|Hatzputra