The Perfect Pace: Cycling In Northern Southeast Asia And Southern China
5 min read
FOR YEARS, I have cycled through much of what was once called “Indochina”—specifically Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia—and…
August 2026
The August Issue Is Out Now! This issue brings together stories of sporting passion, treasured collections, cultural preservation, and community initiatives, reflecting Penang’s vibrant spirit and evolving identity.
Keeping The Tourism Industry Inclusive And Sustainable For The Habitat Foundation (THF) & Sustainable Tourism Malaysia (STM)
11 min read
THE CHANGES TO George Town’s core heritage area over the last decade have been significant. Although the “hardware”—the…
From The High Tower To The Humble Truck Ilham Gallery’s Decade of Institutional Innovation, 2015—2025
5 min read
Over the past decade, ILHAM Gallery has redefined the Malaysian art museum through research-led curating, historical recovery and experimental outreach. Balancing private support with public purpose, it has become a civic space where art is not only displayed, but critically engaged and shared.
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Where Are You From? Letter by Laila Fanebust
2 min read
Laila Fanebust reflects on being repeatedly asked “Where are you from?” in George Town, exploring identity, belonging, and how she is perceived as an outsider. Through her time in Penang and the George Town Literary Festival, she considers how place and difference shape everyday interactions.
Fish Ladders: Helping Fish Cross Human-Made Barriers
4 min read
As dams reshape Malaysia’s rivers, fish ladders emerge as quiet interventions—restoring pathways long severed. Balancing infrastructure with ecology, they offer a measured way forward, where development need not come at the expense of life moving beneath the surface.
Sustainable Tourism In Numbers
4 min read
Penang’s tourism rebound is powering economic growth, from surging visitor numbers to RM1.91bil in MICE impact—but it also strains liveability in key hotspots. As sustainability efforts expand, the challenge is clear: can growth, community well-being and environmental care truly align?
Beyond Numbers, Towards Meaning: Shifting To Developmental Tourism For Penang
5 min read
DRIVING ALONG THE old town’s narrow arteries, one quickly encounters the layered rhythms—and the resulting challenges—of George…
A Retirement We Can No Longer Afford?
6 min read
YEAR-OLD NORAZLAN ISMAIL, a taxi driver in Johor, embarked on a journey from Johor Bahru to Istana Negara.[1]…
ZANG TOI: The Malaysian Who Dresses The Global Elite
9 min read
From Kelantan to New York, Zang Toi’s journey traces a couture legacy shaped by memory, ambition and reinvention. Decades on, his designs remain a dialogue between worlds—where Malaysian heritage quietly endures beneath the brilliance of the global runway.
Staying Sane By Acknowledging Our Rural Soul
3 min read
IN THE ENGLISH language, a “hamlet” or “colony” connotes a place of untainted being. Nature is close by, human warmth…
The Story of Northam Road Merchants, Millionaires And Their Mansions
11 min read
A heritage walk along Northam Road reveals more than scenic charm—it traces Penang’s layered past, from colonial ambition to elite enclaves. Once “Millionaires’ Row”, its evolving landmarks show how memory, power and place continue to shape the city.
On The Uncertainty of Being Dua Darah Explore Mixed-Race Identity
5 min read
Dua Darah explores identity beyond rigid racial categories, following a Malay-Chinese Muslim navigating faith, memory and duty. Intimate and layered, it opens space for difficult conversations on belonging in Malaysia.
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