A Tale of Tourism In Two States: Sustainability Approaches For Penang And Sarawak
5 min read
ON 30 MARCH, the International Day of Zero Waste, the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme and UN Tourism launched the…
Separated Through Necessity? Gendered Segregation Among The Aged And Homeless
5 min read
Gender-segregated homes for Penang’s elderly poor reveal a quieter reality of ageing—where care is shaped by constraint, vulnerability and cultural unease. Beyond shelter and survival, they expose how loneliness, dignity and intimacy persist even at life’s margins, often unspoken but deeply present.
The Limits of Organised Inclusion: Some Insights From Engaged Youth In Penang
4 min read
“Young people are the leaders of tomorrow” is often spoken as affirmation, yet rarely matched by real influence today. Through the voices of four Penangites, this piece examines how inclusion without power leaves youth present—but still waiting at the margins of decision-making.
Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital: A Legacy of Hope And Love
7 min read
Born of Bishop Francis Chan’s final wish, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital grew from a modest charitable home into a pillar of compassionate care in Penang. Sustained by faith, community and quiet sacrifice, its legacy endures as a testament to dignity in life’s final chapter.
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…
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.
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]…
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.
