Ho Tzu Nyen's Dictionary of South East Asia explores enigmatic author Gene Z. Hanrahan

Ho Tzu Nyen is currently working on an intriguing project called the Dictionary of South East Asia, which focuses on the mysterious figure Gene Z. Hanrahan. His book, The Communist Struggle in Malaya, published in 1954, remains an important historical resource, even though his true identity is unclear. Hanrahan's writings cover a variety of subjects, including the Mexican revolutions and works by Brazilian revolutionary Carlos Marighella. Malaysian historian Cheah Boon Kheng suggests that 'Gene Z. Hanrahan' may actually be a pseudonym. The US Library of Congress notes he also wrote under the name William J. Kennedy. This exploration of Hanrahan is part of Ho Tzu Nyen's larger project, which began during his residency at Asia Art Archive in Hong Kong and was initially presented in ArtReview Asia's Art Basel Hong Kong Special Edition in 2015. A new chapter was displayed at the Internationales Sommerfestival in Hamburg from August 9 to October 7, 2018. Hanrahan's access to secret documents about the Malayan Communist Party significantly enhances his contributions for those studying Southeast Asian communist histories.