Book Review and Public Discussion "Malay Traders in South Sulawesi: Identity and Power" by History Lecturers of Universitas Hasanuddin at UIN Palopo

Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Palopo successfully convened a significant scholarly event in the fields of history and cultural studies by organizing a book review and public discussion titled “Pedagang Melayu di Sulawesi Selatan: Identitas dan Kuasa”.

The event was held at the Mini Auditorium of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab and Dakwah (FUAD) UIN Palopo, located on Jalan Tokasirang, Temmalebba Village, Bara District, on Thursday, October 30, 2025. It attracted enthusiastic participation from diverse audiences, reflecting a robust interest in local historical scholarship.

The discussion featured the book’s author, Amrullah Amir, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., a distinguished History Lecturer from Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas) Makassar. In his presentation, he offered critical insights into the social-political roles, networks, and power dynamics of the Malay trading communities in South Sulawesi throughout history.

Photo 1: Dr. Amrullah Amir, M.A. attending the Book Review event organized by UIN Palopo. 

The event was officially opened by Dr. H. Rukman AR Said, Lc., M.Th.I., Chair of the Research and Community Service Institute (LP2M) UIN Palopo, who emphasized the importance of book reviews in enriching academic resources for both faculty and students, as well as bridging communication between scholars and the wider community.

“The book not only offers a historical account but also provides a reflective analysis of how identity and networks have shaped power structures within trade and cultural contexts,” Rukman remarked.

Participants represented a wide array of backgrounds, highlighting collaborative engagement across sectors. Beyond UIN Palopo’s faculty and students, the event attracted representatives from local government agencies, including Balitbangda Palopo, the City Archives Office, Cultural Office, and Public Library Office. Cultural organizations such as the Palopo Urban Forum, Palopo Mabaca Community, Arts Council Chair, Palopo Heritage Society, and Luwu Kingdom Secretariat also actively joined the discussion.

Photo 2: Group photo of participants at the Book Review session.

The session was dynamic and interactive, with attendees posing numerous questions regarding research methodology and the contemporary relevance of the Malay traders’ historical study to South Sulawesi’s socioeconomic conditions.This forum is expected to inspire further rigorous historical inquiries within the Tana Luwu region.