Greg Lopez

Malaysia and Singapore are two of the world's most successful newly industrialising countries. They also boast the two most durable quasi-democratic regimes in the world, having ruled uninterrupted since their independence. Yet, with their enviable growth, prosperity and stability, as well dubious democratic credentials, interests in these two countries appears to be fading, especially in Australia. Two individuals with extensive research interests in the two countries share their views on Malaysia and Singapore. Emeritus Professor Clive Kessler and Associate Professor Lily Rahim speaks to us on what motivated their interests in Malaysian and Singaporean politics and society, what continues to keep them motivated in their research and the importance of Malaysia and Singapore as an area of research. Clive Kessler, University of New South Wales -- An Emeritus Professor in Sociology, Clive Kessler is a widely sought after authority on Malaysian political and societal issues. He is more recently one of the authors of Sharing the Nation: Faith, Difference, Power and the State 50 Years After Merdeka. Lily Zubaidah Rahim, University of Sydney -- Lily Zubaidah Rahim's 2001 book, The Singapore Dilemma: The Political and Educational Marginality of the Malay Community, establish her as a leading expert on Singaporean politics and society. She is an Associate Professor in Government and International Relations.