Good vibrations: how to unite people through gamelan music

'People now consider us as gamelan musicians with a Malaysian identity,' says Ooi (centre), referring to Rhythm in Bronze's multiracial line-up. Photo: Bernama

It is not easy to get an appointment to interview Dr Jillian Ooi Lean Sim as this scientist and geographer is always away carrying out research at one of the nation’s marine parks.

A senior lecturer at Universiti Malaya’s Department of Geography, Ooi, 48, has a PhD in Seagrass Biogeography and was recently in Pulau Rawa in Mersing, Johor, with her students to conduct a study on its marine life.