Penang’s Finances Staying Strong
6 min read
Since 2008 Penang has experienced fiscal surpluses in its financial account; it achieved as large a sum as RM61.7mil in fiscal surpluses, or 0.1% of Penang’s GDP in 2017.
Making Affordable Housing an Economic Enabler
5 min read
Housing is a basic need. However, the Median Multiple approach developed by Demographia International considers houses in Penang to be unaffordable.
Stable Local Indicators amid Challenging Global Economic Outlook
6 min read
According to the World Bank’s Global Economic Outlook ( June 2019), global growth in 2019 has continued to weaken and is expected to slowly rise to 2.8% in 2021 from 2.6% in 2019.
A Triumphant Come Back: Cheah Yew Saik
7 min read
For art-educationist-artist-activist Cheah Yew Saik @ Chia Ah Yoke, the period around June 2002 was his darkest hour and a life-changing turning point.
The Complex Task of Being Chinese Peranakan
8 min read
The Baba-Nyonya (or Chinese Peranakan) remains a subject of fascination. Much has been debated about the different nomenclatures – Peranakan, Straits Chinese, Straits-born Chinese and King’s Chinese.
Penang STEM Reignites Student Interest in the Practical Sciences
5 min read
Ask a school kid today what they want to be when they grow up, and the answer might vary vastly from the old answers of “lawyer”, “doctor” or “engineer”. These days, “technopreneur”, “influencer” or “professional gamer” may be the response instead.
Communicating History, Connecting Generations
4 min read
The Youth Arts Camp (YAC), well into its fifth year now, attests to the strong intent of inculcating art as a learning tool and further developing a creative-critical approach towards problem-solving among the young.
Stephen Hough: “Penang can make money out of the arts if it does it right”
7 min read
Stephen Hough’s talent naturally evolved into a profession – he has been a classical pianist for an astounding three decades now, after having jumpstarted his performing career at 22.
Love in a Time of War
4 min read
The Garden of Evening Mists by celebrated Malaysian author Tan Twan Eng is a portal into a time when Malaya was fraught with distress: the Japanese Occupation has ended, but its effects are still keenly felt.
Events
3 min read
ComedyWant to flex your comedic chops or just try your hand at stand-up? Then head over to the Little Art House Studio’s Comedy Open Mic because a...
Penang’s Key Economic Indicators
3 min read
In 2018 Penang registered a gross domestic product (GDP) of RM91.2bil, with a year-on-year (y-o-y) growth rate of 5.1%, which is 0.4% higher than the national rate of 4.7%. The state continued to contribute 6.7% to the national GDP.