This concise book examines the decline and erosion of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) as a dominant political party of Malaysia through the perspective of Ibn Khaldun's theory of asabiyyah and umran. It uses the qualitative method of data collection from Ibn Khaldun's original works. After discussing Ibn Khaldun's theory of asabiyyah and umran, UMNOs umranic contributions and erosion of Malay asabiyyah are discussed in detail. The research outlines how asabiyyah led to UMNOs rise to prominence, gain of political power, bringing of progress and development of Malaysia to an umranic stage before it started to decline and erode in concordance with the five stages of Ibn Khaldun's theory of rise and fall of civilizations. This book highlights that early leaders of UMNO played significant role in fostering group feeling and solidarity of the Malays (asabiyyah). Asabiyyah was the engine that propelled UMNO to transform the Malaysand Malaysia to an umranic society. In conclusion, the later leaders of UMNO contributed to weakening of the Malay asabiyyah and the fall of UMNO from power in the 14th General Elections in 2018. The process of UMNOs decline and erosion of political power is primarily caused by the leaders failures and shortcomings. The author, a Malysian lawyer and long-standing Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Minister of Justice, Minister of Defence, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Home Affairs in the Barisan Nasional in Malaysia, concludes with the recommendation that for UMNO to be relevant again in the current political landscape, it must initiate new and serious approaches and initiatives to change itself and must focus on good governance and rule of law in a multi-ethnic Malaysian society. Relevant to scholars and practitioners in political science, sociology, and Islamic studies, this book is a landmark commentary on contemporary Malaysian politics, drawing from the author's own experience as a member of parliament in his various ministerial positions over three decades.

Autorentext

Tan Sri Dr. Syed Hamid began his career in the Judicial and Legal Service as Magistrate in 1970 and was appointed President of the Sessions Court in 1971. He then pursued a career in the financial and banking sector locally and internationally from 1972 to 1986. In the years 1986 to 1990, he became Partner in the law firm of Albar, Zulkifly, and Yap. He was Member of Parliament from 1990 to 2013, during which time he held various ministerial positions including Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Minister of Justice, Minister of Defence, Minister of Home Affairs, and most notably, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Tan Sri Dr. Syed Hamid's last held position was Chairman of the Land Public Transport Commission of Malaysia (SPAD), from 2010 to 2017. Tan Sri Dr. Syed Hamid holds a Barrister-at-Law degree from the Middle Temple, UK, and was called to the Malaysian Bar in 1974. He also holds a Master Degree in Human Sciences (Political Science) from International Islamic University Malaysia and a Ph.D. in International Relations from Asia E-University, Kuala Lumpur. Tan Sri Dr. Syed Hamid is currently Adjunct Professor of three (3) universities, namely University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), University Malaya (UM), University Melaka (UNIMEL), and Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMUC) as well as Chairman of the OIC Study Group (OICSG). Syed Hamid has contributed books, essays, and articles to national, regional, international media and academic journals. He appeared in many political and current affairs programs on BBC, CNN, ALJAZEERA as well as with local TV channels. He is also actively involved with regional and global humanitarian activities. He was Founder and President of HUMANITI Malaysia, an NGO involved in humanitarian activities and served as Special Envoy to Myanmar, of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In recognition of his services to the nation, Tan Sri Dr. Syed Hamid was conferred the Order of the Defender of the Realm (PMN) by the King of Malaysia which carries the title "Tan Sri", in 2009. He was conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by The Emperor of Japan in 2019 for his valuable contribution to the development of Malaysia/Japan High Speed Railway and the good relation between Malaysia and Japan. He is Advocate and Solicitor and Managing Partner in Noor Amran & Co since July 2020.