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“Integrity” is a moral quest more than a possession; it is an attribute to be attained, maintained and exercised by an individual. That seems to be its basic meaning. It signifies a work in progress; one strives for it rather than possesses it. In any case, it is a very useful word widely used in … Continue reading
By Ooi Kee Beng, Penang Monthly editorial November 2026 ONE OF THE deepest legacies of colonisation worldwide is the nation-state. Having learned that every inch on earth has to be owned, sooner or later, by some political power, the emergent nation-states, which inherited the territories left behind by crumbling European powers—and Japan—in the 20th century, … Continue reading
By OOI KEE BENG, in Penang Monthly November 2026 FOR WORKAHOLICS TO drop everything and go on a retreat is as crazy as asking a parent to stop worrying about their children for a while. Not really possible. Unless, of course, the workaholic is suffering the symptoms typical of advanced alcoholism. When he begins doubting … Continue reading
By Dr Ooi Kee Beng, The Edge, 4-11 October 2026 AS THE ENDING of Western hegemony over the world becomes more undeniable, and the civilizational and ethical complexity of mankind shows itself to have survived, the question on most minds is, “What will take its place?” Instead of simply identifying which new players will take … Continue reading
By Ooi Kee Beng, Penang Monthly Editorial, October 2026 THIS ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS liveability in Penang, and an initial word of warning is in order. A particular kind of misleading confidence comes from a spreadsheet. Ask a town planner what makes a city liveable, and you will be handed numbers: walkability scores, transit access, density targets, … Continue reading
RETIREMENT, MOBILITY AND INVESTMENT Malaysia is widely ranked as one of the world’s best places to retire. This may surprise many who read local political news and wonder about its stability. But the truth is that the country is attractive to many people—local and foreign alike—seeking low costs of living, easy travel opportuni-ties, good healthcare … Continue reading
Ooi Kee Beng on BFM 89.9: Breakfast Grille podcast, with Sharaad Kuttan https://www.bfm.my/content/podcast/malaysia-reluctant-resilient-reflective AS WE celebrate the country’s achievements since Independence but also reflect on its shortcomings. But how do we do so without resorting to the now threadbare vocabulary and conceptual frameworks that have guided us thus far. And where are new frameworks and … Continue reading
By Ooi Kee Beng, at the “Scars of War and a Shred Commitment to Peace” dialogue panel on 10 September 2026, at the Lin iang Xiong Art Gallery in Penang. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ART is never static. It changes with time, with circumstances, with the need for expressions particular to the times. The same can … Continue reading
By Ooi Kee Beng, speech at book launch on 9 September 2026 at St Xavier’s Institution of Paul Kiong’s book, “The Communist Role I Played”. WE LIVE IN comfortable times today. One could say, “too comfortable times”. It is therefore a privilege for us today here at St Xavier’s Institution, to host an event where … Continue reading
By Ooi Kee Beng, opening speech at the Penang Peace Dialogue, 5-6 September 2026. First, let me say that Peace is not simply the Absence of War. Peace is not merely a Ceasefire. It is a state of mind, a culture, a value system. War is easy, by all present accounts. Peace is hard. Keeping … Continue reading
