Dina Zaman: I am Storyteller
6 min read
The first thing I do is tell Dina that her book resonated with me, which is a little strange for an atheist to admit. She laughs and tells me that many other at...
November 2025
This November, Penang Monthly explores language, place and memory. As GTLF returns, we highlight Penang’s multilingual streets and the dialects that keep local history alive.
GE 13 can Cement Malaysia's Two-Coalition System
6 min read
Voters, you have to decide soon. The 13th general election (GE13) has to be held, at the latest, within two months of April 28, when the current government&rsqu...
One Party Rule Fades Away
7 min read
It’s now the fifth anniversary of the political tsunami of March 8, 2008. It’s also the 50th anniversary of Malaysia, the 67th year of Umno and the...
The Simple Life
2 min read
To any islander, travelling to the mainland can almost be like travelling to another state or country. In a place like Permatang Pauh, everything seems simpler, as photographer Ong Ee Lynn discovers.
Malaysians Take Charge
12 min read
The consolidation of oppositional forces in general, not only party-based ones, has been extraordinary. This makes the status quo untenable; something that the...
Early Days in Balik Pulau
10 min read
The history of Balik Pulau has been a continuous source of controversy. The following “eyewitness” account and maps may perhaps settle some of the argument and open up new avenues for discussion.
A Perfect Italian Lunch
3 min read
It’s always hard to find a great place for a business lunch. Somewhere not too stuffy, but still with good ambience. Somewhere with great food, and servic...
Behind the Burger Boom
6 min read
Who says people in Penang are conservative when it comes to food? Well, less and less are saying that. A new fare adding its fragrance to our streets is the burger, and one of the pioneering joints is Marshall’s.
Seeking Inspiration in Balik Pulau
6 min read
Idyllic Balik Pulau, the last natural sanctuary on Penang Island, is evolving into a resort for artists.Several artists have started moving there to be far, f...
Angkor Wat – Heaven on Earth
5 min read
Four out of over 3,000 apsaras carved into the walls of Angkor Wat.Carved corridor at Angkor Wat.From the ninth to the 12th century, the...
Kid Stuff
4 min read
Robots made of Lego? Kids building their own motors? Water rockets blasting off towards the sun in defiance of Granny Gravity’s eternal pull? That’s...
Nowhere to Run – Victims of Domestic Violence Need Our Help
7 min read
At one point during the interview, Dr Prema Devaraj shakes her head in dismay and this makes me consider if the question I just asked her was off-limits. &ldquo...
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