Malay Journalism Before The War
5 min read
Zainal-Abidin B. Ahmad (1895–1973) a.k.a Za’ba was a writer and teacher. A native of Negeri Sembilan, he was the first Malay to pass the Senior Camb...
November 2026
Penang Monthly | November 2026 is out now. This month, we journey through Penang’s South Asian links—from the enduring energy of George Town’s Little India to the remarkable restoration of Wadda Gurdwara Sahib. Discover stories of Punjabi cha, Ganesha at the threshold, traditional trades, migration, literature, art and the people keeping living heritage alive across Penang. Because heritage is more than buildings and archives—it is found in the languages we speak, the food we share, the work we do and the memories we carry.
The Face of A Movement
3 min read
AMONG ALL THE photographs taken during the Bersih 2.0 rally, one stands out. In it, a petite grey-haired lady clad in a yellow T-shirt is seen standing in front of Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) troops who have just drenched her with chemical laced water.
Bersih 2.0 A Desire For Democracy
9 min read
THOESE WHO PARTICIPATED IN, or followed developments leading to the gathering organised by Bersih 2.0 on July 9, 2011 must have come out of it with mixed feelings.
Keep Solid Waste Local
6 min read
ON A MALAYSIAN online directory listing, Alam Flora Sdn Bhd’s description of itself reads: “We’ve been entrusted by the Government to manage the privatisation of the national solid waste management system for Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan and Pahang.”
Addressing The Housing Issue
6 min read
Ong Ee LynnDEMAND FOR HIGH-END property in Penang has been robust and finding new houses or apartments on the island in the RM250,000–RM350,000 rang...
Clarifying The Role of Politicians in Development Control
5 min read
RECENTLY, residents of Taman Desaria on Penang Island went to the press to complain that the developer of a housing project that was under appeal in the Appeals Board had begun clearing the land and paving an access road to the site (New Straits Times, July 15, 2011; Sunday Star, July 17, 2011).
A Vertical Road to George Town
7 min read
Akram Khan: When you finally create something, the history of how it was made becomes vague and is lost. You forget the origins of the ideas, when they started as fragments.
A Pressman’s Progress
5 min read
THE STRAITS ECHO WAS Tan Thean Peng’s first employer. He joined as a reporter in 1978 after finishing his A-levels at St Xavier’s Institution only t...
Making A City Liveable The Secret Is Economic Growth From Below
17 min read
According to the Economic Intelligence Unit of The Economist, Vancouver topped the World’s Most Livable Cities list in 2011 for the second consecutive year based on five main criteria: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
The Wider Implications of Minimum Wage
12 min read
On June 30, 2011, the National Wage Consultative Council Act 2011 was passed after four hours of debate. It replaces the Wages Council Act 1947 and will assess wage levels by sectors, types and regions in preparation for a national minimum wage policy by the end of the year.
Living Life As Art
8 min read
SO OBVIOUS, yet so odd. Syed Ahmad Jamal: ARTIST – that was the title of his last major exhibition, held from October 2009 until January 2010.Maybe it c...
Medical Devices Manufacturing: Penang Pursues The New Frontier (Part 2)
5 min read
The healthcare industry is a robust and stable industry, comprising several sectors which are dedicated to providing healthcare services and products. Apart from primary activities which focus on human wellbeing, it also includes the high-technology aspect of medical equipment, instrumentation...
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