Artisanal, Natural and Organic
5 min read
Ong Seng Keat and Chan Su Yin, co-founders of Yin's Sourdough Pizza.Yin's Sourdough Pizza's Egg Benny sourdough pizza.Taking Bread Bac...
Say “Yes” to Vaccines, for Your Children’s Sake
6 min read
The recent outbreak of diphtheria, a vaccinepreventable disease, in June and July this year has worried the whole nation. As of July 27, the total number of dip...
The Kopitiam – Where Cultures Congregate
3 min read
Before coffee franchises and hipster cafes, there existed the good old kopitiam. And in Seberang Perai, the kopitiam has a character of its own: nestled in old...
Teaching Students How to Take Heart – and How to Have Heart
5 min read
I first met Rusaslina Idrus (I call her Lin) in 2011. I was living in a kampong not far from the Second Link Bridge to Singapore and she was a Visiting Research...
A Properly Financed Transport Plan for the Long Haul
5 min read
Traffic in the state causes Penangites headaches, but none more so than state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow.Having held the Traffic Management portfolio...
Three Historical Markets of George Town
8 min read
This style of simple shed market halls – with minimal ornamentation – was once popular in Malaya.Alongside amenities such as post offices, tow...
Lessons on Democracy from the Middle East
8 min read
We were not quite sure what to expect. Initially, the expedition was meant to be a study trip to Muslim-majority countries to learn about the diverse ways in wh...
Komtar’s Hidden Gems
5 min read
At its most basic level, Komtar is the administrative heart of Penang’s state and local governments. While the 65-storey (soon to be more) tower is recogn...
HDB Republic: Housing, Homeownership and Heritage in Singapore
7 min read
From its economy to its education system, Singapore leads in Asia. And one should not forget one very remarkable aspect of the country’s development: its...
New Cycling Lanes are Changing the Penang Experience
4 min read
Penang is leading other Malaysian states in promoting cycling and does that by trying to provide good cycling infrastructure. In August 2013, Chief Minister Lim...
Will Getting Around Penang Without A Car Become Possible Again?
7 min read
Penang has ambitious public transport plans. It needs to if it is to keep its population on the move. The state’s transport masterplan – which seeks...
A Foreign Language Learned is a Cultural Gap Bridged
4 min read
Foreign language centres have long had afirm foothold in Penang. The Malaysian- German Society (MGS), for one, emerged more than 50 years ago as a friendship so...
