Eddin KhooJournalist, Historian & Director at Pusaka

Eddin Khoo is a writer, cultural historian, translator, journalist, and educator. He is the founder of PUSAKA, a prominent cultural center in Southeast Asia, and the publishing house Kala, which focuses on translating literary works into Malay. With a deep involvement in Malaysia's traditional and ritual arts, Khoo has worked closely with shadow puppeteers, musicians, dancers, and dramatists. His research interests include oral transmission, cultural and religious politics, and rituals in traditional theatre. Recognized for his contributions to culture, he was named one of Channel News Asia’s Asians of the Year in 2006. He has curated numerous exhibitions and led significant cultural projects, including KataKatha – Southeast Asian Conversations on Culture and the Arts, and is also involved in public education initiatives like Projek Bina Bangsa.

In addition to his cultural work, Khoo is an Executive Editor at The Vibes and a regular commentator on politics and culture in various international outlets, including the Financial Times, The Star, and the Singapore Straits Times. He has authored works on traditional Malay woodcarving and edited the autobiography of renowned Malaysian artist Ibrahim Hussein. Khoo has also translated poems by notable Southeast Asian poets and has worked on editing the writings of his father, Malaysian historian Khoo Kay Kim. His extensive career spans media, academia, and the arts, making him a key figure in the cultural and intellectual landscape of Southeast Asia.