The Hills ‘r’ Us
3 min read
Natural resources are always good to have. If rightly used, they are the basis not only for an economy’s path of growth, but also for its international identity.
June 2026
Discover Penang Monthly’s June issue: explore the stories behind Penang’s enduring heritage brands, the richness of its multilingual and multicultural heritage, innovative local businesses, community-led initiatives, and the challenges shaping the state’s future. From family enterprises and semiconductor pioneers to traditional food, festivals, education, and environmental sustainability, this issue celebrates Penang’s resilience, identity, and capacity for renewal.
PARK(ing) Day: A Recap
4 min read
Every year in September, cities across the world celebrate PARK(ing) Day, and it landed in Malaysia for the first time ever in George Town on September 19.
Literary Festivals – More Momentous Than You May Imagine
3 min read
Now when Penang is holding its George Town Literary Festival again, let me ponder over what I think is one of the most important things that have failed to develop properly in post-colonial Malaysia, namely our mastery of language.
Being part of history being made
6 min read
Bersih 4 was undeniably the biggest street protest that Malaysia has ever seen. Held over 34 hours from August 29-30, it saw no let-up in the numbers that showe...
Dreaming in Malaysia
2 min read
Migrant workers in Malaysia come from more than 12 Asian countries, with the majority from Indonesia. Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Tha...
Penang as entry point for visitors to Malaysia
3 min read
Tourism has been vital to Penang for decades, but a competent history of it has yet to be written to give due credit to the key actors involved, to describe t...
Speaking of Pulau Tikus...
3 min read
Pulau Tikus. The name always sounded exotic to the ears of a boy growing up in the general area of Ayer Itam (yes, not Air Itam), Reservoir Gardens and Rifle...
The Temuan of Ulu Yam
3 min read
Deep in Ulu Yam, Selangor, near the Sungai Liam waterfall and a 30-minute drive from KL, a tribe of Temuans are moving house. The area floods, and they need a better place to stay, high above the water level.
The UAE passes an anti-discriminatory law worth importing
3 min read
I was in Abu Dhabi recently for the first time. The UAE is a strange land; its citizens make up only 15% of the whole population. The rest are foreigners of o...
Entranced (and possessed) in Sumatra
4 min read
During a trip to Berastagi, a mountain town at the foot of the active Sybayak volcano in northern Sumatra, we saw ultimate proof of that when we stumbled across a street ritual called reog ponorogo.
A Record of Penang’s Love of Popular Music
6 min read
It may be hard to believe, but once upon a time, Malaysia had women with silky, permed hair and short skirts shaking to the rhythms of Western rock ‘n’ roll. For this reason, the existence of popular music in the country has often been dismissed by those concerned with “moral decadence”.
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