Penang Transportation by the Numbers
4 min read
We examine the transport situation in Penang and provide the statistics on the trends and modes of transportation available in the state.
February 2026
Our latest issue explores how third places—from bookstores and gardens to KOMTAR—shape community life in Penang, while reflecting on sustainability, inclusion, and the island’s rich history.
Ripples From Global Events Threaten Local Economy
13 min read
Recent economic events, particularly the fall in oil price, are predicted to significantly shade the economic outlook for Penang and for Malaysia at large.
Penang Economic Outlook 2015
4 min read
Malaysia’s domestic environment will become more challenging given the introduction of the GST from April 1, 2015 and the sensitivity of Malaysian households to any interest rate hike due to their high debt levels.
Making Malaysia’s Literary Capital Work
9 min read
Organising a literary festival is no easy task, especially when you’ve only got five months to do it. But passion and determination drove one man and his team to pull it off – and very successfully.
An Art Exchange on Penang’s Walls and Streets
6 min read
Urban Xchange, Penang’s first international street art festival, divided the state’s art sphere between purists and those who dare to be different.
The More Individual Stories We Acknowledge, The More Authentic Our National History
6 min read
One thing common to most Malaysians is the balik kampung tradition. This goes even for those millions who have left the country over the last 50 years, who return whenever they can to visit relatives, friends and old haunts.
The Art of Sonny Liew
9 min read
Comics are fun, but if one is to make a career of it, one needs luck and lots of talent. And one needs to take bold initiatives and to experiment. A very adult way to stay young, really.
Springtime For Art Biennales
7 min read
Art is not only big business worldwide, it is big everything today, including city branding. Huge art festivals are taking place throughout the world.
The New Wave of Malaysian Fixi-on
6 min read
Petaling Jaya-based independent publisher Fixi conquered Malaysia's bestsellers charts with a new wave of pulp fiction that dares to defy Islamic conservatism and the country’s alleged low-reading rates.
George Town – From City to Municipality to Culture Centre
7 min read
George Town became a city on January 1, 1957. The timing was not by accident. In fact it was an event to herald the approach of sovereignty for the 11 states of Malaya exactly eight months later that year.
Manufacturing in Penang: Onwards and Upwards
6 min read
In 2013, Penang's share of the manufacturing sector to the overall GDP of the state was almost equal to that of the service sector, at 47.8%. Penang shows that its manufacturers have a higher overall share towards its income than the Malaysian average.
Demographics of A Diverse Malaysia
4 min read
Malaysia is made up of many races and cultures, the predominant ones being the Malays, Chinese and Indians on the peninsula. For February, to accompany our cover story, here are the figures on Malaysia’s demographic makeup.
Explore column