East Malaysia in numbers
3 min read
With consciousness of East Malaysia being heightened, especially post GE-13, we explore its demographics, along with its economic contribution and literacy rate...
Sungai Lembing – a world of ore-some tunnels and rainbows
5 min read
According to legend, a village chief saw a vision of a spear in the river and aptly named the town Sungai Lembing (Spear River). Situated about 42km from Kuanta...
Top 12 earners at art auctions
7 min read
Chuah Thean Teng, Lullaby (batik, 90cm x 90cm, c.1970s-1980s).Once, the honour of top grosser in Malaysian art in auctions was a toss-up between Datuk Ibr...
The streets of George Town are alive - maybe too alive
4 min read
One Wednesday evening, I walked down Lebuh Armenian to Little India to hunt for spices. I was inspired by a story over a hearty dinner at Jawi House in George T...
Around the region
6 min read
Around the region1The long simmering territorial dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands has led to increasingly nationalistic and aggressive stances in bot...
When Labour ruled the council
8 min read
As the first British settlement in South- East Asia, George Town inherited most of the British Empire’s conventions, including an elective local council....
New Bob: Taking development to greener heights
7 min read
Dr Lee Ville.For Dr Lee Ville, it’s all about balance.“Surgeons get called up at 3, 4am,” he said, smiling at thememory. “I didn...
Beyond the MDGs
7 min read
The deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015 is fast approaching, but global progress has been uneven. Although three of its goals...
Let’s be fair to women – especially homemakers
5 min read
This year’s UN theme for International Women’s Day is “Equality for women is progress for all”. Yet second class treatment of women is s...
Price Among Slaves: An 18th-century slave story still relevant for Malaysia
4 min read
Abdul Rahman Ibrahim Sori was one of millions of Africans captured, transported across the sea to America, and sold into slavery.Michael Wolfe.Abdul&rsq...
It’s time we got to know you, East Malaysia
10 min read
Malaysia Day has not been celebrated with much gusto in Malaysia for many years now, and it was no different last September 16. The festivities were perfuncto...
Unveiling Iran thumb by thumb
7 min read
My mobile phone rings just as the ferry reaches port and the queue starts to move. I glance at the screen: it is an unknown number and I can’t ascertain t...