A new book that touches on the rise of Vincent Tan as a business tycoon has been removed from the shelves at bookstore chain Borders , for which he holds the franchise.

'The Unmaking of Malaysia' is authored by former Bernama general manager Ahmad Mustapha Hassan ( photo ), who was once a student activist, civil servant, political activist and diplomat.

It primarily looks at Umno politics but also includes details about how Tan procured gaming company Sports Toto (M) Sdn Bhd in the 1980s.

Contacted by Malaysiakini , Ahmad Mustapha said his publisher had informed him that Borders would not stock the book.

"Apparently, I wrote certain things that were unfavourable to Tan ( photo )," he said.

A check at the book store outlet at The Curve shopping complex in Damansara revealed that the title was itemised in the computer database.

However, an attendant said it was not on sale and recommended another nearby book store where it could be purchased.

The Berjaya Times Square outlet confirmed that the book is listed in the database but that it was "out of stock".

Ahmad Mustapha said Borders had placed an order for his books, but believes that an internal circular had directed that the title be taken off the shelves.

Tan's other business ventures are in the property, hospitality and media sectors.

Relationship turns sour

The 282-page book is a personal account that attempts to explain the 'enigma' of the legacy of former premier Abdul Razak Hussein and Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Ahmad Mustapha was press secretary to Abdul Razak and was later shunted to Mahathir during his tenure as deputy premier.

When Mahathir dropped broad hints that he should get another job, Ahmad Mustapha joined Bernama in 1980. He left in 1987.

He portrays Abdul Razak as a humble person who cared for the people, and Mahathir as a man in a hurry 'who sowed seeds of hatred and disunity' among Malays and who had "unhealthy disregard for the rules and regulations".

Current premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is featured sympathetically as someone who has opted to revive Razak's legacy of poverty eradication.

In the later chapters, the author delves into a chapter on Malaysian capitalism where he details his encounters with Tan and another tycoon T Ananda Krishnan.

Ahmad Mustapha said he introduced Tan to Mahathir on a visit to Rome in 1984.

"I advised him on the approach and the content of his proposal to privatise Sports Toto. The proposal was to make the running of the company more efficient and profitable," he wrote.

After his tenure with Bernama , he joined Berjaya Textiles Bhd, a company in Tan's vast stable of enterprises, but their relationship later soured. He implied that Tan did not honour several commitments to him.

The book will be launched on Nov 14 at the Royal Selangor Club by former deputy premier Musa Hitam, who led Team B against Mahathir's Team A when there was a split in Umno in April 1987. Abdullah was also in Team B.