November 2016 - Penang Monthly

The Global Halal Industry in Malaysia and Penang

5 min read

Malaysia ranks first on Thomson Reuters’ Global Islamic Economy Indicator1, particularly in the Halal Food, Islamic Finance and Halal Travel indicators....

A Journey into the Testy World of Colonial Art

7 min read

A makeshift platform next to the replica statue of Sir Stamford Raffles set up on July 22, 2000, at the man’s purported first landing site allowed those w...

Zero Waste for Quality Living

4 min read

It has been 10 months and counting since Tin Fong Yun and her husband Lau Tzeh Wei, both 28, began their Zero Waste journey. Throughout 2016, they aim to throw...

Carolyn Hong

A Tranquil Town for Snaps and Seafood

4 min read

There is no doubt about it: Bukit Tambun in Seberang Perai Selatan instils nostalgia in visitors, especially those from the city. Serene and secluded, it exudes...

A Return to Real Democracy

8 min read

The current state of affairs, as mandated by the 1976 Local Government Act, is that local councillors are “to be appointed by the State Authority.1 A majo...

Joshua Wong

Local Democracy Awaits a Resurrection

7 min read

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...

Joshua Wong

Stop BN’s Electoral Robbery with Bersih 5

8 min read

The 14th general election looks set to be a litmus test for many political stakeholders in Malaysia, not least of all the ruling BN coalition. Now ignominiously...

Zairil Khir Johari

A Short History of Penang’s Malay Publishing Industry

9 min read

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...

Caleb Goh

Technology Transforms the Halal Industry

4 min read

The development of halal-related products and services is being encouraged in Penang. According to Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, the state exco in charge of Is...

Ooi Kok Hin

With Enough Optimism, Success Will Come

6 min read

It must be strange for Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, 62, to tell people about the street where he was born. Originally named Jalan Yahudi, that small throughfa...

Andrea Filmer

Halal: An Industry with a Bright Future

9 min read

For eight years now, the Penang International Halal Hub (better known as Halal Penang) has been setting the trend for the halal industry both domestically and b...

Nidhal Mujahid

Trishaws – Another Sunset Industry

3 min read

Choo Yew Choon produces and repairs trishaws. In fact, he is the fourth generation in his family running the business. He took over the business, Hup Huat, in 1...