The Star and PSSM have recently agreed to work together in running a “Book Review Column” as well as an “Opinions Column” in The Sunday Star . The tentative title of this column is “Malaysia Studies”. We plan to commence publication of the column from April 2003.

PSSM's main objective in embarking on this project with The Star is to draw attention to scholarship on Malaysia as well as to publicise books published by Malaysian academics. At the same time, books by other authors in the field of social science that members feel should be read by Malaysians may also be reviewed. Through this column, PSSM also hopes to strengthen its network with the media and through it, to popularise a book reading culture among the Malaysian public as well as to contribute towards raising public awareness regarding current national and international issues analysed by using the social science perspective.

This column also serves as an opportunity for academics to voice their opinion on current issues. All members are encouraged to write commentaries on current national and international issues for the “Opinions Column”. When commenting on international issues, attempt should be made to relate them to Malaysia .

Books for review should be on various themes in the fields of the social sciences and humanities that members feel are of interest for the public to know and read. For members who would like to write such reviews, PSSM has made arrangements with Routledge to provide review copies. A list of books published by Routledge is hereby provided (see attachment). Any member who would like to write reviews may request through Dr Terence Gomez (e-mail: terencegomez@hotmail.com), one of PSSM's Vice-Presidents, for Routledge to send them review copies. However, members are free to select books from other publishers for review as well.

Both reviews as well as commentaries should be analytical and concise, written in not-too-academic fashion, and should not exceed 1200 words. They should be sent direct to:

Terence Gomez (e-mail: terencegomez@hotmail.com).

At the same time, for record purposes, please cc your review or commentary to the PSSM President at the following address:

rahmanhe@pkrisc.cc.ukm.my