Thailand: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that all royalties from his newly launched book, "Rethinking Ourselves: Justice, Reform and Ignorance in Postnormal Times," will be donated entirely to underprivileged students in Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the book is being published by Hurst for the United Kingdom, United States, and Europe markets; Penguin for Asia; and Hong Kong University Press for China and East Asia. The expected royalties are significant as pricing is determined by the publishers. Anwar assured that every cent of these royalties will directly benefit poor students in the country. Speaking at the book launch held at Tsutaya Books, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, he emphasized his commitment to ensuring that the funds are immediately directed towards aiding students in need.

Anwar elaborated that the book is not a traditional autobiography but rather a compilation of his evolving ideas since the 1970s. It addresses themes such as justice, reform, corruption, religious extremism, and the challenges faced by Malaysia's multiracial society. The book also delves into global issues like digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and energy transition, stressing that technological progress should not overshadow human values.

The prime minister shared that "Rethinking Ourselves" was written over more than a decade, drawing from his personal notes during his imprisonment at Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor, as well as reflections from various phases of his life, including his roles as an activist, minister, and political detainee.

Anwar is also recognized for his earlier work, "The Asian Renaissance," published in 1996 during his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister. This book was translated into Italian by Andrea Fais and Stefano Bonilauri. While "The Asian Renaissance" was dedicated to his parents, Anwar revealed that "Rethinking Ourselves" is dedicated to his wife, Azizah.

At the event, Anwar signed a replica of the book cover and engaged with attendees during a meet-and-greet session. The launch was attended by prominent figures including his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Youth and Sports Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim, as well as academics and students from various educational institutions.

For context, "The Asian Renaissance" emphasizes the revival of Asian civilization, advocating for values of knowledge, culture, openness, and justice as a counterbalance to global imbalances and Western dominance.