Passing Glimpses of the Present: Penang, Malaysia and the Region In a Time of Geopolitical Swings is a collection of Ooi Kee Beng’s thoughts, which exhibits a return to geopolitical affairs in his intellectual attention. It is far from true that Malaysian politics never really change. Much has indeed changed. But changes are never what you really expect. That makes them both exasperating and exciting. As a Malaysia-watcher, as a scholar of decolonisation and Asian nation-building, and as a post-modern philosopher, Ooi Kee Beng has allowed himself to be inspired by current events rather than overwhelmed by them. He seeks signals in the noise.
This is totally understandable, given the shocking shifts in geopolitical affairs in recent times. However, by sorting his ideas into those inspired by global affairs, by Malaysian matters, and by changes in his hometown of Penang, a tapestry is plaited that immerses daily local policy concerns into the larger and more complicated dynamics of regional and global affairs. In short, as with all his highly appreciated analyses of Penang, Malaysia, and the world, he continues faithfully and intimately considering the human condition in the 21st century. His curiosity, humbly exercised, invites the reader to ponder along with him.
Preface: The Sailor
Introduction: The Erratic Speed of Thought
GLOBAL INSPIRATIONS
1. Can ASEAN Afford Not to Raise Its Ambitions in A Multipolar World?
2. Modernity as Political Economy Building: The Exemplary and Extreme Case of Singapore
3. The Neocolonial Myth of Unipolarity
4. Climate Change: A Timeless Concern
5. Accepting the Ubiquity of Mediocrity Is Required If We Are to Transcend It
6. The Historical Task of Realising a Global Human Community Has Just Begun
7. Endorsing the National-Regional-Geopolitical Nexus: The Case of ASEAN Integration
8. Between the Microcosmic and the Macrocosmic: We Are All Giants Now
9. What is Modernity? Answer for Head-to-Head in History Today
10. Embracing the Many Dimensions within which Citizens—and Countries—Function
11. History: Mankind’s Pursuit of Self-understanding and Self-acceptance
12. A Multipolar World Is Now Highly Possible
13. Trumpism as a Delayed Reaction to the Success of Export-Oriented Growth in the Global South
14. The Global North and South at a Crossroads: Preparing for Multipolar Stability
15. Putting Southeast Asias Multilateralism to Good Future Use
16. Standing Up for an Equitable and Inclusive Global Future
17. Relying on the Proximate and the Immediate to Keep Sane in a Virtual World
18. Time for ASEAN to Punch in Its Heavyweight Class
MALAYSIAN INSPIRATIONS
19. Malaysia: A Major Player in Regional Change
20. Nurturing a Bold and Articulate Population as Part of the ‘Madani’ Agenda
21. Malaysia in the ASEAN Chair 2025: Policy Recommendations from Penang Institute
22. Simple Tools for Taming Your Prejudices
23. Recognising Colonial History as the Genesis of Malaysian History
24. A History Lesson for Malaysia as It Responds to the Trump-given Multipolar Moment
25. Deconstructing the Notion of Good Governanc
26. Awake in Time for a Terengganu Sunrise
PENANG INSPIRATIONS
27. Endorsing Wanderlust: Travel to Live, Travel to Learn
28. The Art of Getting Creative and Staying Creative
29. After 15 Rousing Years, the Penang Renaissance Still Resonates Clearly
30. Be Humble, Be Honest, Be Honourable
31. I Know Why Penang Food Is So Amazing….
32. Continuing on the Path Successfully Taken 50 Years Ago
33. Art Is Individual, the Art Ecosystem Is Collective
34, As the Sun Warms the Valley….
35. Recognising the Geopolitical Backdrop for Modern Self-Perceptions
36. George Town, Adelaide and Other Siblings
37. Defining Penang Exceptionalism through Its Geography, Its Biology and Its Human History
38. Dealing with the Droppings of Daily Life
39. Unravelling Future Meanings of Travel and Catching Glimpses of Lives We Cannot Live
40. The Creative Economy: Born Out of a Supportive and Inspiring Socio-political Ecosystem
Appendix: Philosophy as Activism: The Curious Case of Ooi Kee Beng
