The Edge’s double-cover Penang magazine captures the state's dual identity, affirming its rightful titles as Pearl of the Orient and Silicon Valley of the East (Photo: Sharill Basri/ The Edge)
Once a crucial entrepôt in the Straits of Malacca, connecting disparate mercantile worlds from Europe, India and China, Penang continues to thrive as a dynamic epicentre of commerce. Tiny but mighty, the vibrant northern state is swiftly evolving into a technology nexus, largely driven by its burgeoning semiconductor industry.
The Edge’s double-cover Penang magazine captures its dual identity, affirming its rightful titles as Pearl of the Orient and Silicon Valley of the East. “The Future is Here” delves into its rapid advancements in technology, infrastructure and investment prospects — framed by its strategic Penang2030 road map. On-the-ground accounts of personalities and enterprises reveal just how its high-growth zones are being driven.
On the other side, “Island in the Sun” pays homage to Penang’s magnetic pull as a travel destination. This section brings its rich heritage to the fore, in addition to the unbeatable food scene, array of leisure pursuits and safekeepers of unique cultural identity.
Bisecting the magazine are postcards and artworks by local illustrator Sumidik.
To celebrate the launch of the publication, more than 120 guests convened at Majestic Theatre — the first cinema in Penang to screen Chinese talkies — on July 1, a week before the 17th anniversary of George Town’s inscription as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
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In his opening speech, Datuk Ho Kay Tat, publisher and group CEO of The Edge Media Group, said that although the company is principally based in Kuala Lumpur, many staff members, including two of its founding directors, Lim Siang Jin and B K Tan, are from the state.
“Over the years, our reporters have come on a regular basis to cover the investment, property and lifestyle scenes in Penang. Occasionally, we publish special magazines. This latest issue has over 250 pages. [It] captures what has happened over the past five or six years, what’s happening now and what will happen in the future,” he said.
“Because it’s the second most important economy in Malaysia, we now have, for the first time, a correspondent in Penang,” Ho announced. “David Tan will help us stay more on top of the latest in the state.”
Ho also conveyed his appreciation to official car partner Mercedes-Benz as well as other advertisers who made the magazine a success.
Between flipping through its pages, noshing on tasty canapés by Farquhar Mansion and being serenaded by the talented Sharizan Borhan, guests also had the exclusive opportunity to discover the German marque’s fully electric G-Wagon and the sleek AMG SL Roadster.
Beyond music and merriment, the affair served as a convocation of Penang’s leading luminaries — a felicitous reminder that its reputation rests not just on its gastronomic delights, but the strength of its people.
Intan Farhana Zainul, Sharon Teh, Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, Datuk Ho Kay Tat, YB Zairil Khir Johari, YB Wong Hon Wai and Jenny Ng (Photo: Mohd Izwan Mohd Nazam/ The Edge)
This article first appeared on July 14, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.
