At only 37 years of age, Eddin Khoo wears many accomplished hats. He is a poet, writer and translator. He is well-known for his contributions toward cultural preservation. He is also an apprentice shadow puppeteer and student to the late renowned puppeteer Dalang Abdullah Ibrahim, better known as Dollah Baju Merah.

Eddin Khoo has worked with scores of Malaysia's leading traditional artists including shadow puppeteers, musicians, dramatists and dancers. He has focused principally on the state of Kelantan, researching aspects of oral transmission, cultural and religious politics and aspects of ritual in traditional theatre.

As a writer, he has published 'All the World's Figures' - a collection of original poems; a translation into Malay of the novels 'Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree' by Tariq Ali, 'When Memory Dies' by A. Sivanandan and Melville's 'Moby Dick' as well as a collection of poems by the American poet Christopher Merrill; translations into English including a collection of poems, 'Suppose We Were in Sarajevo', by the Indonesian poet Goenawan Mohamad and the 'Selected Poems' of the Malay poet Tengku Alias Taib.

Eddin Khoo, a Malaysian of Chinese-Indian parentage divides his time between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu, Kelantan.


What inspired you to be a cultural activist?

I don't consider myself a cultural "activist", I would say, rather, a proponent of culture that culture is all encapsulating and is the gateway to understanding our evolution as a people.

What's the best thing about being a cultural activist?

I work in traditional culture, and have spent most of my working life involved with leading masters of our traditional art forms. The best thing about this, of course, is being able to encounter and appreciate genius on an almost daily basis.

How do you define "culture"?

"Culture" is just about "everything", and the less people attempt to contain, categorize and construct "culture" the better we will be able to appreciate the "experience" of it in all its dimensions.

Do you consider yourself a conservative person?

I'm liberal in the essence of the term.

Did you have any childhood ambitions?

I am, on the whole, living out all of my childhood ambitions; to live and work freely.

Do you want your children to follow your steps?

I don't have any, but such a desire would be arrogant and oppressive; so, not necessarily.

Who's the most interesting person that you have ever met?

My shadow puppet master the late Dalang Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollah Baju Merah)

What's the craziest thing you heard lately?

Parti Islam seMalaysia meets with Tun Dr Mahathir.

Where will you spend your ideal holiday?

I hardly holiday, but Sri Lanka would be ideal; because its beauty defies the imagination.

Where do you like to hang out?

Home.

What is the best thing of being Malaysian?

Being innately cosmopolitan.

Would you like to say anything to the Malaysian youngsters?

Read and read more.

Do you have a favourite quote?

"Why can't we see what is clear as the light of day" (W.H Auden)

Anything But Politics is an occasional column featuring political personalities, activists, intellectuals, about everyone really!