Our Story
Founded in 2016, Imagined Malaysia is a research organisation committed to calling to attention the alternative history of Malaysia and Southeast Asia. We have organised countless forums and dialogues, exhibitions, and published the annual IM Review in an effort to push historical discourse in Malaysia. We hope to participate in the effort of creating public awareness and education about the differing narratives and stories that may be omitted from the official/master history. This is to not only change our understanding of the nation’s history, but to deepen and evolve it to have a more inclusive and rich discourse.
The crucial point for us to organise this project is to address some of the present concerns regarding historical literacy in Malaysia. There is a lack of contestation in the perspective of historical events taking place at the current moment in the public sphere – whether in the form of writing, lectures or even debates. Hence, we wish to re-popularise interest in attaining knowledge by drawing means of what the region’s intellectual history has to offer. In the long run, we hope that this will be a platform that promotes the role of activist-historians in public education as well as a source of encouragement and inspiration for Malaysian youth to have a critical appreciation for history.
The Team
Loong Dien Min is the President of Imagined Malaysia. She is an incoming PhD student in History at Yale University. In 2024, she was funded by the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and graduated with MPhil in World History at the University of Cambridge. She is interested in sociolegal histories of transregional Asia, sexuality, childhood, and family. Reach her at: loong@imagined.my
Jack Lee is the Secretary of Imagined Malaysia. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Chinese Politics, Foreign Policy, and International Relations from Tsinghua University. Prior to this, he graduated from the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus with a BA (Hons) in International Relations with French.
Noor Netusha Nusaybah is the co-founder of Imagined Malaysia. Netusha graduated with an MPhil in World History at the University of Cambridge, funded by the Tunku Abdul Rahman Fund. Prior to this, she graduated from the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus with BA (Hons) in International Relations. Netusha strives to advance the role of public history in social policy, peacebuilding and national integration. Reach her at: netusha@imagined.my
Dennis Ong is usually driven by his curiosity to venture out and learn about all things cultural and historical. During his free time, he goes out to photograph what fascinates him and anticipates the unexpected. Currently, he has completed a Master’s Degree in Visual Arts at University of Malaya. His interests besides history includes mysticism, cultural practices, and architecture of both ancient and modern times. Reach him at: dennis@imagined.my
Adeline Choo graduated with a Masters in Comparative Education (Distinction) from the Institute of Education, University College London, where she predominantly examined language planning and policy, and language practices in education. She is interested in exploring the causal mechanisms linking
fluid language practices with the formation of inclusive attitudes. Adeline was IM’s Research Associate for #TanpaPerkauman: An Anti-Racist History of Malaysia.
Idris Abdul Ghani is Project Coordinator for Imagined Malaysia. He is a sustainability practitioner with a keen interest in history, art, and philosophy. A University of Nottingham International Relations with French graduate, he explores how diverse perspectives can help create dynamic intellectual discourse.
Brendan Yeo is Project Coordinator for Imagined Malaysia. After graduating with a background in International Relations from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, he went on to pursue a Masters of Arts (Southeast Asian History) at the University of Malaya. He is primarily interested in colonial and imperial history, as well as documenting the stories of indigenous and marginalised cultures and ethnic groups.
Jeremy Lim is Project Coordinator for Imagined Malaysia, works on themes of political economy and capitalism in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. He is also a researcher at the Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development and the Jeffrey Cheah Institute for Southeast Asia. His other interests include the international political thought of the left and democratic systems. Reach him at: jeremy@imagined.my