Siniawan: A Defiant Town That Time Won’t Forget
6 min read
Tucked along the Sarawak River, Siniawan is a quiet heritage town of timber shophouses and layered histories—from gold rush sovereignty and anti-colonial resistance to near abandonment and community-led revival—offering a rare glimpse of Borneo’s past, still alive on its own terms.
The Forest’s Table: Reviving Indigenous Knowledge for Malaysia’s Food Future
6 min read
Malaysia is home to one of the world’s richest rainforests, with an estimated 15,000 plant species. Out of these are more than 520 edible plant species, and 300 of these are indigenous to the country.
Nira Nipah: The Sweet Sap of Penang
4 min read
Coastal dwellers across Southeast Asia—especially those living in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia—have, for centuries, tapped the stem of the nipah flower to collect its sap, known as nira.
Bahasa Tanjong as Reflection of George Town Identity
5 min read
Bahasa Tanjong is a variation of the northern Malay dialect that, according to researchers, took shape over two centuries ago, making it more than just an accent.
Flashes in the Dark: Learning to Protect Fireflies
5 min read
As part of this year’s World Firefly Day celebration on July 5, researchers, families and firefly enthusiasts had gathered in Bukit Kiara to spot these rare insects. It is also a way for researchers to connect science with public curiosity and encourage community-led biodiversity conservation.
The Nyonya Kebaya: Wearing A Deep Heritage
5 min read
The exact origins of the kebaya are not known and are still debated, but two theories appear to prevail.
The Contours of Home: From Palais to Pulau, An Exhibition on Belonging and Oddities
7 min read
Photos courtesy of Critical Craft Collective
WHILE HOME REPRESENTS safety and comfort, it also acts as an intimate space shaped…
What's in a Name?: The Many Lives of Penang's Roads
4 min read
FOR ANY VISITOR, George Town’s colonial footprint is easily evident in the names of roads, named after European administrators,…
On the Cusp of Penang Haute Cuisine
5 min read
GROWING UP IN Penang as a lover of nasi (rice) in all forms, I recall queasiness at sampling what I…
Penang Snack Makeover
4 min read
FOR A PENANG foodie who is always in need of the occasional kick in between dry meetings on long weekdays,…
Fermented Food: A Plate of Penang's Rich Story
5 min read
Do you remember your first taste of tosai? It is an entire experience. A sleepy daybreak sojourn into a nondescript kedai under an ageing tree.