Penang Monthly, by Penang Institute, is the voice of Penang, offering insights on its people, politics, economy, culture, and society, with a focus on local and national issues for curious Malaysians.
Penang is a state with a vibrant history of local government. It was the first state on the peninsula to hold local elections, and had one of the most developed...
In a dusty shop on the second floor of Chowrasta Market, yellowing cardboard-bound books lie tied up with cord. Many of these are printed in Tamil and Jawi, and...
Air Itam, or Ayer Hitam, owes its name to the murky waters of a river that flowed through the township. Once dubbed the entertainment hub of Penang, Air Itam...
Penang’s GDP and GDP per capita have been growing by 5.7% and 6% respectively over the last five years. Since 2010, Penang outperformed Malaysia in econom...
AdvertisementJames Sum’s mountainscapes can be split into more traditional Chinese inkand-(limited) colour constructs, and more dialectical yet ly...
AdvertisementExpelled from school at 14 for social activism and then going on to set up a fiery women’s group; leading a march for independence be...
Many parties, including my parliamentary colleagues and myself, have pointed out the shortcomings of our budgetary process in the past, such as Budget doc...
AdvertisementSomething for everyone – this is what Malaysia can offer to tourists. With a veritable smorgasbord of events, natural wonders, cult...
“Health is everything. As such, concerted efforts will be implemented to enhance the health levels of the rakyat and quality of the healthcare in the co...
“Give me 1,000 men and I will move a mountain. Give me 10 young men and I will shake the world.” (Sukarno)Where political involvement is c...
AdvertisementIn the early 2oth century, Province Wellesley, or Seberang Prai, was flourishing. Already an important agricultural area, Bukit Mertajam...
AdvertisementTranslation matters. It always has, but perhaps now more than ever. It is a paradox that globalisation offers the technological means of...