What's happening around you
-
14-year-old driver crashes into two cars, drives against traffic in Perai
A 14-year-old driving a car was involved in two separate crashes in Taman Chai Leng, Perai, yesterday. The car allegedly hit a parked vehicle before driving against traffic on Lebuh Kurau 5 and hitting another car. No injuries were reported and police are investigating under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.
-
72-year-old man burned as motorcycle catches fire in Jelutong
A 72-year-old man suffered first-degree burns to his hands and legs when his Honda EX5 motorcycle caught fire at Jalan Lenggong, Symphony Park in Jelutong, Penang. Firefighters from the Jalan Perak station put out the blaze, and the victim was taken to Penang Hospital. The case has been handed to the Fire Investigation Team.
-
Penang education dept: students may skip school if haze harms health
Penang's state education department has told schools to let parents take children home early and to allow students to stay away on health grounds as haze worsens. Schools in affected areas will close if the API reading hits 200. Four Penang air monitoring stations recorded unhealthy readings up to 11am.
-
15,000 gather at Penang Museum Ferry grounds for Keretapi Sarong Malaysia Day event
Nearly 15,000 people in traditional attire attended the Keretapi Sarong celebration at the Penang Museum Ferry grounds in George Town, held in conjunction with Malaysia Day. The event featured cultural performances and games, drawing participants from across the region including Taiping and Sungai Petani.
- You saw it first Something happening near you? Post it. Road closed, night market moved, burst pipe, lost pet — share it nearby. Post something nearby →
-
Penang ferry collision probe in final stage, report due to Transport Ministry this month
The investigation into the Sept 1 collision between the Teluk Bahang ferry and MV Mekar Jaya within Penang Port limits has reached its final stage. Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin said the report will be submitted to the Transport Ministry this month, with 21 people injured in the incident.
-
Penang API unhealthy at all four stations, Minden highest at 167
Air quality across Penang reached unhealthy levels at all four monitoring stations as of 11am, with Minden recording the highest API of 167. State environment committee chairman S. Sundarajoo advised children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with respiratory problems to limit outdoor activity, and said the state and the Department of Environment would step up monitoring and enforcement against open burning.
-
Seven artists showcase Penang heritage in contemporary photo exhibition
A contemporary photography exhibition titled 'For Our State: A Contemporary Photography Exhibition on Penang' is being held at the Penang Institute in George Town. It features seven artists from across Malaysia exploring heritage, identity and community connections to Penang. The exhibition was launched on Sunday by Penang State Art Gallery chairman Lee Khai.
-
Childminder in Air Itam charged with negligence over 13-month-old baby's death
A 44-year-old childminder was brought before the Sessions Court in Georgetown today, accused of exposing a 13-month-old boy in her care in a manner that may have caused his death. She pleaded not guilty and was granted RM8,000 bail with one surety, with the case set for mention on 16 November pending a post-mortem report. The alleged offence took place at a house in Taman Desa Mawar, Air Itam, Northeast District, at 2pm on 8 September.
-
Four Chinese nationals plead not guilty to kidnapping compatriot in Alor Setar
Four Chinese nationals pleaded not guilty in the Alor Setar Sessions Court to kidnapping a Chinese woman at a house in Taman Amira, Jalan Langgar, on Aug 7. The judge denied bail and set Oct 11 for mention. The case follows an Aug 8 shootout that killed two suspects.
-
3,736 ageing trees in Penang show early health warnings
A total of 3,736 of Penang's 12,500 ageing trees show early signs of health problems needing monitoring. State exco Jason H'ng said 167 high-risk trees are in George Town and 77 have already been felled by MBPP in phases from August through 2027.
-
Residents question Jelutong reclamation growing from 4ha to 28ha
A residents' group in Jelutong, Penang is questioning why the proposed sea reclamation for the Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project has grown from 4ha to 28ha. Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee says the joint development agreement only allows additional reclamation needed to secure the landfill perimeter, but the EIA shows most of the 28ha would be used for processing and recycling excavated waste. The group also warns against using recovered waste as fill material and says the state could terminate the agreement.
-
Bank Rakyat unit RMS launches MyARX app for Ar-Rahnu services
Rakyat Management Services Sdn Bhd, a Bank Rakyat subsidiary, launched the MyARX mobile app to give customers faster, easier access to Ar-Rahnu pawnbroking services. The launch was announced at the Ar-Rahnu X'Change 2025 Awards in George Town, Penang, which also recognised franchisee performance for 2025.
-
One-eyed student enters USM, shares story of losing sight
At Universiti Sains Malaysia in Georgetown, two new students shared their life stories during registration for the 2026/2027 academic session. Batrisya Umairah Ahmad Rezuan, 20, who can only see with her right eye after two nerve surgeries, is pursuing English Language and Literature studies. Nurul Atiqah Husna Azli, 20, from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, was raised by her grandparents and is now in the Education programme.
-
STPM top student who cared for siblings after mother's death starts at USM
Muhammad Adam Iskandar Azharunaim, 20, who looked after his three siblings after their mother died of brain cancer on 24 August, has begun his studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Georgetown. His father died of COVID-19 in 2021, and his 16-year-old brother, who is disabled, is studying culinary skills at SMK Serdang Baru in Kedah.
-
Penang ferries free for Malaysians on Malaysia Day
The Penang Port Commission and Penang Port Sdn Bhd will offer free ferry rides to Malaysians on September 16 for Malaysia Day and the Keretapi Sarong Festival. The offer covers both terminals, Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim in Seberang Perai and Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda in George Town, saving pedestrians RM2 and two-wheeled vehicle users RM2.50 per one-way trip.
-
Penang's Fort Cornwallis, state museum and automotive gallery free for two days from tomorrow
Three Penang heritage sites - the Penang State Automotive Gallery, Fort Cornwallis and the Penang State Museum - will offer free entry for two days from tomorrow, marking Malaysia Day and the fifth anniversary of Penang Hill's Unesco Biosphere Reserve listing. State tourism committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said free admission to the gallery and fort has also been extended until October.
-
Penang art exhibition highlights landmine and cluster munition toll in Southeast Asia
An international photography and art exhibition on the human cost of unexploded ordnance opened at the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery in Gelugor, Penang, on Sept 10. ICBL-CMC director Tamar Gabelnick said Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam still suffer civilian deaths and injuries from cluster bombs and landmines dropped decades ago. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo cited Malaysia's ratification of the Ottawa Convention.
-
USM urges students not to reject offers over financial problems
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has urged students not to turn down study offers solely because of financial difficulties. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed said the university will assist B40 and M40 students facing hardship. A total of 5,804 candidates registered for the 2026/2027 academic session, including 2,241 B40 students and 999 international students.
-
Kerjaya Prospek unit wins RM37.82m piling job for Penang affordable housing
Kerjaya Prospek (M) Sdn Bhd has accepted a RM37.82 million letter of award from Persada Mentari Sdn Bhd for piling and substructure works at an affordable housing project in Pulau Andaman, Penang. The contract covers a 38-storey block with 922 units and is scheduled to start on Oct 1 and finish within 24 months. The group expects the job to add revenue and strengthen its order book through 2028.
-
OKU man pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting six-year-old girl in Permatang Pasir
A 35-year-old man pleaded not guilty at the Butterworth Sessions Court to physically sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl. The alleged incident took place at Masjid Jamek Haji Abdul Latiff in Permatang Pasir on 3 September. The court ordered him sent to Hospital Bahagia in Tanjung Rambutan for a mental health assessment and set 14 October for mention.
-
MOF tours states to gather input for Budget 2027
The Finance Ministry is running a Budget Tour across the country to gather views from industry, NGOs and the public for Budget 2027. Deputy Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan said Penang was chosen for its key role in the electrical and electronics and semiconductor sectors, after visiting Sekolah Menengah Agama Al-Mashoor (Perempuan) in George Town.
-
14 Penang students get PTPTN RM1,500 advance to start university
Fourteen students from Pokok Tampang, Taman Sepadu and Kubang Menerong in Penang received RM1,500 PTPTN Loan Advance Payment letters from PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim. Another 20 students received the aid at a separate event in George Town. The advance is meant to cover tuition and initial expenses before they begin studies at public universities and polytechnics.
-
Old tree falls in George Town, injuring family of three
In George Town, Penang, a roughly 90-year-old angsana tree fell on Jalan Macalister on 9 August, injuring three members of a family travelling in an SUV. Earlier, on 3 July, a 130-year-old tree fell on Jalan Batu Gantung in Air Itam, crushing two houses and damaging three vehicles. Residents and traders are calling for more frequent inspections of ageing shade trees in the city.
-
Three police officers held over RM13,000 extortion in Pulau Tikus
Three police officers in Penang have been detained over the alleged extortion of four men of RM13,000 in Pulau Tikus on 6 August. Penang police chief Dennis Lim Kwang Keng said the suspects, aged 30 to 48, are remanded for four days until 16 September, and the case is being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code.