Lost in Transition

'This is a significant collection of essays on recent tumultuous political developments in Malaysia written by a scholar who is proving to be one of the most perceptive observers of the intricate politics of the country and the complex intermeshing of social, cultural and economic issues with political events and happenings. There is also a salutary warning for the country and Malaysians on what the costs are when silence from the top is the main political strategy and public response in dealing with national issues of pressing importance remains weak' - Dr Lim Teck Ghee, Director, Centre for Public Initiatives.'Ooi has encapsulated recent Malaysian events in a manner that is useful to the Malaysians and the non-Malaysians. To the Malaysians it is a reminder of events which tend to get forgotten in the relentless tide of contentious issues that keep battering us. To the non-Malaysians it gives a comprehensive overview of recent Malaysian politics. Shifting with ease between politics, economics and history, Ooi has drawn a clear picture rich with facts as one would expect from an analysis that has both the impassioned plea of the insider and the academic detachment of the outsider' - Dr Azmi Sharom, Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya.