Feeling at Home in Public
4 min read
An elderly man enjoying a quiet moment to himself.The public was invited to put their creative stamps on the yellow chairs at Hin Bus Depot duri...
The Ten Best Quotes from Intrepid Women Travellers
2 min read
Timing is everything, and timing was on my side when I happened to be home in Penang when the “Zafigo Talk: Intimate Conversations with Women on Travel...
Brightening the Future of the Blind
4 min read
The white cane has long been a symbol for blind pedestrians. In fact, it wasn’t always white, but the cane as such is the trusty companion of many a visua...
Men Who Ran PFS and Inspired Generations
8 min read
Penang Free School (PFS) celebrates its bicentennial on October 21. This venerable institution has churned out generations of leading Malaysians: “Old F...
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...
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...
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...
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...
A Model for Libraries of the Future
5 min read
As the Digital Age develops, we find ourselves constantly experimenting with new ways to improve what we are already doing: from publishing to manufacturing to...
Malaysia is Like a Plate of Nasi Kandar
5 min read
Nasi Kandar as we know it today would be almost unrecognisable to those living during the time of its origin. In the bustling streets of colonial George Town, m...
The Word and the World (Part Two)
15 min read
Penang emerged as a significant print centre during the nineteenth century. In turn, this helped spur the development of a market for all kinds of published mat...
