Islamization and Activism in Malaysia examines aspects of the increasing political and social profile of Islam in Malaysia and describes how different kinds of activists in Malaysia have sought to protect fundamental liberties and to improve the state of democracy in Malaysia. In particular, focus is paid to activists who engage with electoral process, the law and the public sphere, and in particular, to movements that cut across or combine these realms of action.
Spanning the period of the Prime Ministership of Abdullah Badawi, Julian C. H. Lee's grounded analysis examines the most important issues of that period including the freedom of religion case of Lina Joy, the Islamic state debate, and events surrounding the 8 March 2008 general elections.

Julian C.H. Lee is Associate Professor in Global Studies at RMIT University, Australia. He is the author of a number of books including Policing Sexuality: Sex, Society and the State; Second Thoughts: On Globalisation, Malaysia, Society and Self; and Women's Activism in Malaysia. He is also the editor or co-editor of several volumes including Narratives of Globalization; Punks, Monks and Politics: Authenticity in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia; and Trajectories: Excursions with the Anthropology of E. Douglas Lewis. In addition to having been a columnist for magazines in Malaysia and Australia, he has also produced several short documentaries including 'For Japan, Our Sister'; 'Caring at a Distance'; and 'Be a Superhero'.