The high life: Growing up on the peak
7 min read
From George Town, Penang Hill is a quiet presence, a thought that barely registers even as it looms in the background. It appears intermittently throughout the...
Going Dutch: Lessons in urban amenity from Amsterdam
7 min read
It’s a human theatre conducted against the gracious Golden Age backdrop, where over 7,600 buildings in the city centre alone are listed as “monument...
A walk on the Cheapside
8 min read
Blink and you’ll miss it. Locksmiths and hardware shops obscure the entrance to a narrow alley just off the bustling Lebuh Chulia. Taking its name from a...
A New Lease of Life for Traditional Puppet Theatre
6 min read
In a lean-to wedged between a temple and a cafe, the audience sits on plastic chairs, waiting. Plucked strings and wooden clappers ring out against the falling...
Making Sure Penang’s Taps Keep Flowing
7 min read
We are a thirsty species. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each person requires between 50 litres and 100 litres daily to meet basic health an...
A Water Supply System to Boast About
6 min read
When we talk about heritage in Penang, we tend to focus on George Town’s historic monuments. As it happens, the city’s heritage is in its plumbing t...
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...
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...
Being part of history being made
6 min read
Bersih 4 was undeniably the biggest street protest that Malaysia has ever seen. Held over 34 hours from August 29-30, it saw no let-up in the numbers that showe...
All that glitters in George Town
10 min read
The shop is cool, dark and charmingly cluttered. Floor-to-ceiling shelves overflow with brightly coloured paper printed with traditional Chinese motifs. The bac...