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Can ASEAN Adapt to Operate Effectually in a Geopolitically Complex World?

By Ooi Kee Beng, for The Edge Malaysia, 20-27 June 2026 TWO THINGS that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been depending upon for its slow-and-steady, all-aboard method to deliver are firstly a lack of urgency, and secondly an absence of unrelenting outside pressure. Anyone concerned about the issues the organization purports to … Continue reading →

Front Row Podcast on Dr Goh Keng Swee

Exclusive Interview on GDToday: ASEAN-GCC-China Summit aims to create a multi-polar world

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)-China Summit held on May 27 in Kuala Lumpur shed light on the collaboration among Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and China amid Trump’s tariffs worldwide. In an exclusive interview recently, Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director at Penang Institute, Malaysia, noted that the summit, gathering 10 … Continue reading →

Defining Penang Exceptionalism through its Geography, its Biology and its Human History

By OOI KEE BENG, June 2025 Editorial in Penang Monthly. “Does Penang Exceptionalism still exist?” That question was put to me recently by a learned and slightly agitated visitor. I assume the query stems from distress over how recent developments in the state have been too much, too hasty, and too uncontrolled. It is a … Continue reading →

May 2025 issue of Penang Monthly

https://www.penangmonthly.com/tag/may-2025/ I reached my 70th birthday in May 2025. My dear colleagues, led by my old friend Liew Chin Tong, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister for International Trade and Investment, decided to use the May issue of Penang Monthly (of which we are co-founders) to highlight what they see as my contributions in leadership and parenthood, and … Continue reading →

George Town, Adelaide and other Siblings

By OOI KEE BENG, speech at Ayer’s House, given as part of the Adelaide’s History Festival, on 12 May 2025 SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS are very complex matters. I come from a family with four brothers, and two half-brothers and a half-sister. And I have three children from two marriages. Much insights—and moments of exasperation—have been gained … Continue reading →

Recognising the Geopolitical Backdrop for Modern Self-Perceptions

By Dr OOI KEE BENG My being here today, in Adelaide, South Australia, is still a great surprise to me. This is because there are certain geographical journeys in one’s step-by-step trip through life that one does not envisage for a variety of reasons. Australia was never on my to-see and to-do list. I lived … Continue reading →

Malaysia in the ASEAN Chair 2025: Policy Recommendations from Penang Institute

By Penang Institute’s researchers

Art is Individual, the Art Ecosystem is Collective

Opening speech at SPOTLIGHT, organised by Penang Art District, held at The Art Gallery on 4 January 2025 Thanks to the Penang Art District (PAD) for giving me the chance to say a few words. Let me start by saying that Penang Institute, though primarily the think tank for the Penang State Government, is basically … Continue reading →

Continuing on the Path Successfully Taken 50 Years Ago

By Ooi Kee Beng, speech given at the opening forum titled “Pioneering the New Frontier: Technological Innovation, Economic Transformation”, of the 5th World Association Presidents’ Conference (WAPC) held on 2 December 2024 at Wisma MCA, Kuala Lumpur. We can study the New Frontiers confronting us today either from a geopolitical level, or we can do … Continue reading →