This is a collection of opinion pieces written by Ooi Kee Beng and published in the mass media after Abdullah Badawi became Malaysia’s Prime Minister in October 2004, and analyses the many difficult aspects of leadership that has been facing him over the last two years. In effect, these discusses the country’s underlying problems, the dilemma involved in succeeding Mahathir Mohamed, and draws conclusions about nation building in general. The leading party and its many weaknesses and strengths, the role of Malaysian Islam and the growing importance of regionalism and globalisation are also discussed.