Ghazali Shafie's Memoir on the Formation of Malaysia

Ghazali Shafie’s Memoir on the Formation of Malaysia principally tells the story of the Tunku and his role in the formation of a Malaysia and the role of Tun Abdul Razak played in steering the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC), the body which eventually paved the way for the independence of Sarawak and Sabah within Malaysia. In this memoir, Ghazali Shafie decided to chronicle the way these matters should be narrated. He felt he owed future generations an obligation to put national historical matters in the correct perspective. This memoir provides students of history and diplomacy with a text of great value.

Many books and articles have been written on the subject of the formation of Malaysia. Some have their own meanings and interpretations of events which took place. What the author has written is not a scholarly treatise but a narrative of events in which he was either present or directly involved. The author decided to put it down in writing after he had thought that well after thirty years these matters should be narrated as he saw them; he felt he owed it to future generations. According to the author, he had not kept a journal or diary but had jotted down a few notes of some occasions which helped him to refresh his memory of what took place and what he thought of them then. Therefore, his opinions of those events should be read with the backdrop of that time. For instance, the story as to why Brunei did not join Malaysia has been given several versions, and in this narrative, the author has given his perspective.