Keeping the Spirit of Bruno Manser Alive
5 min read
Ruedi Suter.In 2004, Swiss indigenous-rights activist Bruno Manser hiked to his favourite peak, Batu Lawi. Despite having completed the climb several time...
September 2026
The September Issue Is Out Now! Penang Monthly’s September issue explores the vibrant world of Penang’s pasar malam, highlighting their food, culture, community, traditions, and evolving role in island life.
Transgenders Continue to Fight for Acceptance
7 min read
Penang-born Regina Ibrahim advocates the rights of transgender persons through her writings and public appearances. But the conservative climate in the country today makes things quite difficult.
Dancing with Kindred Spirits
7 min read
The Moved by Padi project.Dance and theatre fans know Aida Redza for her extraordinary and fearless performances. While grounded in a firm knowledge of th...
The Evolving Life of a Librarian
6 min read
Dr Rashidah Begum bt Fazal Mohamed.Picture a librarian. Many of us would imagine her (it’s often “her”) to be spending most...
A Shelter for Strays
5 min read
The story of 4PAWS, a no-kill not-for-profit animal shelter that houses stray and abandoned dogs, began in 2005 when Barbara Janssen, a German retiree, rescued two puppies from the roadside. She did not stop there, and over the years, the number she gave refuge to grew to over 600.
MAKE A DATE WITH NATURE - Tourism Turns Green with Age
16 min read
Lined by pristine sandy beaches and covered by flourishing forests overflowing with animals and plants, Penang National Park humbly occupies the nor...
A Stroll through Fuan’s Wonderland
5 min read
Ethereal glass leaves reach for the sky at Art and Garden.In tranquil Teluk Bahang lies a garden different from any I’ve ever seen. Its creator, Fua...
Sensitising Visitors to Mother Nature’s Wealth
4 min read
The Birth of the Butterfly FarmDavid Goh has always been intrigued by butterflies; he has been collecting them since his schooling days. He would preserve the...
Making Sure Penang’s Taps Keep Flowing
7 min read
We are a thirsty species. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each person requires between 50 litres and 100 litres daily to meet basic health an...
A Market Made Marketable
3 min read
Ch'ng Shi P'ngFor many local residents, flocking to the centrally located Pulau Tikus Market is a morning ritual. It is a popular place for groceries and...
A Water Supply System to Boast About
6 min read
When we talk about heritage in Penang, we tend to focus on George Town’s historic monuments. As it happens, the city’s heritage is in its plumbing t...
Enough to Please Most Eyes
7 min read
It is the largest assembly of museum-quality fare on South-East Asian art, with a small selection of 8,000 works that has been borrowed from institutions and pr...
Explore column