Within Reach of Nature
4 min read
My first glimpse of Miri many years ago was of a seahorse standing in a roundabout at a busy intersection. It seemed comical to me then to see the seahorse bein...
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.
Thrilled by the Western Twang
4 min read
Miri’s festival makes it the region’s centre for country music. The date is February 27. Stepping into the gazebo of ParkCity Everly Hotel Miri feels like walking through the swinging doors of a Western saloon.
Wonderful Surprises Abound on the Way up Penang Hill
5 min read
Anak Hutan is a charming and friendly group of people who hike together in Penang every Sunday and also arrange expeditions further afield. I have hiked with th...
Pondering Malaysia’s Complex Society
5 min read
Upon meeting Julian Lee for the first time, one may take his silent, observant nature as a sign of shyness. But shy Lee is not; an accomplished academic and wri...
Selfie Politics: Perhaps We Need Superheroes After All
5 min read
I wrote recently about “selfie politics” – how politicians try to project an “I’m-like-youthe- normal-people” image, exempli...
Our Young Need New Ways of Financing Their Higher Education
9 min read
Higher education in Malaysia has evolved together with the economy. In the 1980s large-scale industrialisation saw agriculture and mining giving way to manufact...
A History of an Icon
6 min read
It stands at the end of Jalan Pangkor. The impressive and imposing building crafted in Victorian fashion has been the site for gatherings and activities organis...
The Cherished Clubs of Penang
5 min read
In an age when young and old tend to be glued to their mobile devices, there exists an avenue for healthy socialising: sports and recreational clubs. These club...
Making Extreme Sports Common
5 min read
Speed, height, maximum physical exertion and specialised equipment: check. A high level of inherent danger: check.Extreme sports like skateboarding, skim boar...
Penang a Mecca for Marathoners?
4 min read
Imagine running 50km, 100km or 100 miles – which is a whopping 165km. One could technically be running from Penang to Taiping and back, with a few kilomet...
A Sky of Stars: Penang Shines as a Sporting State
13 min read
Mention squash and Datuk Nicol David comes to mind for most of us. The longest reigning world No. 1 (a whopping 108 consecutive months!) until September last ye...
The Future Starts Now
6 min read
It’s almost 10pm, and Frederick Tan and I are still chatting in his office. Downstairs, the Penang Sports Council’s Chinese New Year celebration is...
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