Spectacle, “Snake Oil” And Satay: The Curious Story Of Penang’s Pasar Malam
10 min read
THE SATAY SMOKE reaches you before the stalls do: smell has never respected queueing etiquette. I had not been to…
The Story of Northam Road Merchants, Millionaires And Their Mansions
11 min read
A heritage walk along Northam Road reveals more than scenic charm—it traces Penang’s layered past, from colonial ambition to elite enclaves. Once “Millionaires’ Row”, its evolving landmarks show how memory, power and place continue to shape the city.
Third Places, Tropical Rules: How The People of Penang Gather
8 min read
The question today is not just where we gather, but how the rise of air-conditioning, gentrification and ageing society is reshaping the “Penang shophouse” spirit into new, sometimes unrecognisable forms.
A Sea of a Thousand Fires: The Visit of La Bonite to Penang
10 min read
Vaillant looked forward to visiting Penang, partly for strategic rea-sons. The island, he noted, “has played, as is known, an important role in the late wars”, referring to the Napoleonic campaigns in which he had served.
From Bukit Meriam to Bukit Penjara: Retracing the Landscape of Ancient Kedah
10 min read
When the island of Srai (ไทร)—meaning “banyan tree” in Siamese—had just become attached to the mainland, forming what we now know as Mount Jerai, the king of this ancient land of Kedah embarked on a coastal expedition.
The Bougainvillea’s Odyssey: A Tale of Science and Romance Across the Seas
7 min read
The bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) is a common ornamental shrub found throughout Malaysia. Though native to the Americas, it has taken root across the tropics, including in every state in Malaysia, thanks to its hardy nature.
From Fortress to Frolic: The Tragic Fable of Fort Batu Maung
11 min read
With the fort’s history now tangled in commercial entertainment, its actual story has become increasingly unclear. Using declassified top-secret British and Australian military reports, this article reconstructs what really happened.
Keeping Penang’s Story Real in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
11 min read
This article discusses the ethical implications of using AI-enhanced and AI-generated imagery in historical storytelling, particularly on social media.
Bukit Mertajam: The Mount That Decides Borders
12 min read
“KEEP YOUR PISTOL cocked and ready, tuan, when you see me uncover my kris, as we pass through the blukar…
Collectibles in The Hills
9 min read
THERE IS SOMETHING deeply satisfying about crossing off an item that has lingered far too long on your to-do…
Colonial Penang’s Southern Frontier: Tin, Treaties and the Pangkor Connection
11 min read
THE NAME PANGKOR was mentioned as far back as 1511 by Sulaymān al-Mahrī in his treatise al-Minhāj al-…
Francis Light School and The Dawn of Merdeka
11 min read
AT THE EASTERN end of Northam Road (now Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah), within the weathered walls of the Old Protestant…