Penang Island mayor Maimunah appointed as UN-Habitat executive director
The UN has just released the following statement about Maimunah Mohd Sharif, who only recently, from 1 July this year, took over as mayor of the Penang Island City Council from Patahiyah Ismail.
The Penang Island map they won’t want you to see
It is not that difficult to predict which areas of Penang Island are most prone to landslides with a high degree of accuracy (almost 80%). The research has been done.
Penang transport masterplan: Back to the drawing board
On Sunday, while I was waiting for someone outside a mall in mainland Penang, I observed the throngs of people arriving to shop or hang out with friends.
Aliran retooling to stay relevant
I was invited to BFM Radio to talk about Aliran and how it has evolved over the years and the challenges we face.
‘Hard Talk’ with Mahathir, Husam and Saifuddin Nasution
This might help keep you occupied this Sunday. Share your thoughts below.
Penang Botanic Gardens: Restructure enactment, formulate masterplan, drop cable car station
One of the things that they seem to be trying to insert into or around the already congested Penang Botanic Gardens is a cable car base station. This must be categorically rejected. A cable car system would not only add to the crowds in the gardens but also at the summit of Penang Hill, which is already close to – or has already reached – its carrying capacity. More people on the summit will only add to the development pressure on the hill-top… Back in around 1990, Penangites said emphatically they wanted to Save Penang Hill from extensive development. Penang Forum has just released the following statement:
Penang Forum would like to refer to the two recent legislative processes that concern Taman Botani Pulau Pinang (Penang Botanic Gardens), henceforth referred to as PBG.
Worrying weather graphs the media haven’t shown you
Remember the good ol’ days when life was a lot simpler and the weather forecast was simply “cerah” (sunny), “mendung” (cloudy/overcast) or the famous “hujan di sana sini” (ie scattered showers – can’t go wrong with that one!).
BN’s traditional media falls in disarray; social media battle looms ahead of polls
The circulation of Malaysia’s mainstream print media, apart from a business weekly, has dipped over the last few years – and this could dent the BN’s media propaganda strategy and force it to focus on other options ahead of the general election.
The great 1932 flood of Penang: Learning the lessons of history
In the aftermath of the 4-5 November 2017 storm and extensive flooding and landslides, many thought they were the worst in Penang’s history.
Huge growth in GDP – so why the tough times for many?
The other day, I received a message from a relative abroad. “Malaysia economy grew by 6 per cent … that’s huge,” he said. He was referring to the Malaysian GDP growth of 6.2% in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 4.3% in the same quarter last year.
Five things we learned about Penang’s ‘three islands’ mega project
It had rained the day before, so some of us were concerned that our little expedition would be washed out. But as it turned out, the downpour the previous day and the clouds above made it a comfortably cool day for a hike.
‘Development’ gone crazy: ‘Concrete’ proof water gushed down next to tower project
Imagine your home in a quiet neighbourhood, the last house along a street which ends near some hilly land.
Government hospitals struggle to cope with limited resources
The other day I accompanied a friend of mine to an eye clinic at a general hospital in the north of the peninsula.
The landslide that knocked out the Penang Hills Railway
Here are a few images you may not have seen. These photos, taken about a week ago by a concerned Penangite, give us an idea of the extent of the problems facing the Penang Hills Railway, which was knocked out following the rainstorm on 4-5 November.
FREE! 14,000 pages of Aliran magazine digital archives spanning three decades
Aliran’s gift to all Malaysians on the 40th anniversary of its formation in 1977.
Penangites flock to Andrew Ng’s film The Hills and The Sea
The film The Hills and The Sea drew a full house at the Majestic Theatre in George Town this evening.
Freedom Film Fest arrives in Butterworth (25 Nov) and George Town (26 Nov)
If artists are able to capture the soul of a place on canvas, independent film producers are able to vividly bring to life the critical issues of the day on screen.
Eight women artists showcase their work in George Town
Hello everyone! Let us support the arts – development is not just about providing physical public amenities. We also need to nurture the arts so we get the right balance in society to add to the ‘soul’ of a place – and what better way than to support some of the hidden talents among us.
10 alarming images from Penang they don’t want you to see
Ever since the fatal landslide and the floods in Penang, I have received or seen photos from about half a dozen concerned Penangites.