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By Ooi Kee Beng Editorial in Penang Monthly June 2013 One important effect of the March 8, 2008 elections was that it forced the BN government in Putrajaya into crisis management. That became the responsibility of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak when he replaced Tun Abdullah Badawi as Umno president and as Malaysia’s Prime Minister … Continue reading
As the Norwegian Nobel Committee correctly noted when announcing its decision to award the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize jointly to the Intergnovermental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and to Al Gore Jr, “Indications of changes in the earth’s future climate must be treated with the utmost seriousness, and with the precautionary principle uppermost in our … Continue reading
By Ooi Kee Beng Cover story in Penang Monthly, (published as “Much at stake over BN’s Johor fortress, in The Straits Times, 13 April 2013) WHEN an army becomes restless, the general must fly into decisive action to signal that the waiting is over, and that battle plans are in place. Wearied by months, if … Continue reading
By OOI KEE BENG Editorial in Penang Monthly, May 2013 Let’s face it. Whatever the election results, certain things will not go away easily. For one thing, Malaysia will be ruled by a coalition for a long time to come yet. That is a direct reflection of the impressive diversity of the country. Now that … Continue reading
By OOI KEE BENG Editorial for Penang Monthly, April 2013 It’s April now, the month at the end of which the Malaysian Parliament has to be dissolved to make way for general elections to be held, and within 60 days of that dissolution. Technically, elections must be held by 28 June. But in any case, … Continue reading
By OOI KEE BENG A review of The Peranakan Chinese Home: Art and Culture in Daily Life, by Ronald G. Knapp. Photography by A. Chester Ong. Tokyo, Rutland (Vermont) and Singapore: Tuttle Publishing. 2012. Hybridity is the essence of cultural development, and it is largely for political and economic reasons that the process of cultural … Continue reading
A two-party system is now in place, thanks to the spectacular results of the 12th general election five years ago which brought opposition parties to power at the state level. Of the many reasons ventured for this shift, the one that cannot be ignored is the impressive rise in social activism. A strong sense of … Continue reading
By OOI KEE BENG Editorial in Penang Monthly, March 2013 Everyone should be stunned by how anti-BN forces over the last few years have been able not only to only hold their ground, but also to continue spreading a sense of empowerment throughout the country. My take on how this has been possible is two-fold. … Continue reading
By Ooi Kee Beng [Editorial in PENANG MONTHLY, Feb 2013] Penangites are one proud people. That is not even a controversial statement. They are proud of their food, their history and their geography. They have every reason to be proud. Penang has been the initiator of much is has been good for the country. It … Continue reading
Profile: Jeffrey Sachs By Ooi Kee Beng [Penang Monthly, Dec 2012] Penang Institute held the fourth event in its “Penang in Asia” Lecture Series on 20th October 2012. The honoured speaker was Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs. PM Editor Dr Ooi Kee Beng managed to squeeze a jet-lagging Prof Jeffrey Sachs for an interview while they … Continue reading
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