“How Malaysia Missed 7 Chances at Nation Building” is an intriguing, thought- provoking look at seven events in Malaysia’s history that placed us squarely at the crossroads to where we are today. It is written by Dato’ Mohammed Hussein, described by some as “a consummate corporate insider” who was on the frontlines of Malaysia’s growth, fall and recovery.

The author has applied a critical eye and dry wit to seven events spanning 79 years that affected Malaysia’s journey from the end of World War II to 2024. Is Malaysia a dynamic, prosperous, integrated nation at peace with itself? He challenges the reader to ask ‘are we there yet?’, and identifies the obstacles or ‘elephants in the room’ that have prevented us from achieving this goal.

Elm Edge is the pen name of Mohammed Hussein. He spent 31 years of his working career with the largest financial services group in Malaysia in various top management positions. Following his retirement, he was chairman of several listed companies engaged in a diversity of businesses – infrastructure, construction, engineering, township development and real estate investment trusts. He was also an independent non-executive director in several companies in Singapore, Indonesia and Pakistan, and a member of the Asia-Pacific advisory board of a global credit card corporation.

He also served as chairman of a central bank- sponsored corporate debt restructuring committee formed after the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. Presently, he is chairman of a development financial institution for SMEs, a listed plantation group and an Islamic insurance group.

Elm Edge is the pen name of Mohammed Hussein. He spent 31 years of his working career with the largest financial services group in Malaysia in various top management positions. Following his retirement, he was chairman of several listed companies engaged in a diversity of businesses – infrastructure, construction, engineering, township development and real estate investment trusts. He was also an independent non-executive director in several companies in Singapore, Indonesia and Pakistan, and a member of the Asia-Pacific advisory board of a global credit card corporation.

He also served as chairman of a central bank- sponsored corporate debt restructuring committee formed after the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. Presently, he is chairman of a development financial institution for SMEs, a listed plantation group and an Islamic insurance group.