A historic building along Jalan Macalister has reopened as a branch of the Penang State Museum, marking another milestone in the state’s ongoing efforts to preserve its heritage and promote the arts.

The reopening was officiated by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who also launched the Penang Art Open 2025 exhibition themed “Future Ecologies”, featuring works by the competition’s winning artists.

The building, which had been closed for about six years, underwent repair and upgrading works, including roof repairs, electrical wiring improvements and a fresh coat of paint. A new automotive gallery within the compound has also expanded the exhibition space.

Originally known as the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the building was officially opened as a maternity hospital on Sept 13, 1915. Its reopening gives the historic premises a new role in showcasing Penang’s cultural and artistic heritage.

Source: The Star

The museum branch houses a diverse collection of exhibits, ranging from historical artefacts and traditional handicrafts to costumes, paintings and works by pioneering and contemporary artists. It also features contributions from the late comics artist Mohd Azmi Mohd Hussin, highlighting the state’s popular culture and artistic legacy.

The State Art Gallery is also temporarily operating from the premises while upgrading works are being carried out at its permanent home in Dewan Sri Pinang.

Meanwhile, the Penang Art Open 2025 exhibition explores how art can encourage greater awareness of environmental sustainability and sustainable development.

Chow said the reopening reflects the state government’s commitment to making Penang’s heritage more accessible while supporting the growth of its arts scene. He also encouraged visitors to look beyond the exhibits and appreciate the stories behind them.

The reopening follows the return of the Penang State Museum in Farquhar Street on July 23 and the opening of its automotive gallery on Feb 3.

Admission to the Jalan Macalister museum branch is free until Nov 30.

The federal government is drafting a set of uniform planning guidelines for short-term rental accommodation (STRA), which could require all premises operating as short-term rentals in Malaysia to be registered and fully comply with local authority licensing requirements before they can legally operate.

Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the guidelines are being prepared by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) through PLANMalaysia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), state governments and local authorities. The document is currently undergoing final review with Motac before being presented to the Cabinet and subsequently the National Council for Local Government (MNKT).

Under the proposed framework, several regulatory requirements are being outlined:

Mandatory local authority licensing: STRA operators must register their premises and comply with the relevant local authority’s licensing conditions before operating legally.

Strata management rules remain applicable: Short-term rentals in strata properties must continue to comply with the respective Joint Management Body (JMB) or Management Corporation (MC) by-laws under the Strata Management Act 2013.

Automatic licence verification: The government is encouraging cooperation with digital accommodation platforms to introduce automatic licence status checks before a property can be listed.

Removal of unlicensed listings: Digital platforms are expected to take responsibility for removing listings that do not have valid licences or breach local authority requirements and existing laws.

Stronger enforcement: Local authorities and enforcement agencies may take legal action against non-compliant operators under existing legislation, including the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 and the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.

The proposed framework also addresses the possibility of limiting short-term rental operations to 180 nights annually. However, Aiman Athirah said a regulatory impact assessment had been conducted, and any cap would need to balance property owners’ income opportunities, tourism industry requirements, public safety and residents’ wellbeing.

Penang has already introduced its own measures, with the Guidelines for the Operation of Private Accommodation in Strata Property Schemes taking effect on April 1, 2023, followed by the gazetting of the Private Accommodation (Local Authority) By-Laws on August 1, 2026.

The nationwide guidelines are expected to provide a common regulatory framework for states and local authorities, although their implementation will depend on the subsequent approval and adoption process.

Silicon Island is expected to welcome its first factory in 2028, with the sale of industrial land at its 700-acre Green Tech Park scheduled to begin as early as the first quarter of 2027.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the industrial park would focus on attracting high-value investments in semiconductors, automated test equipment (ATE), integrated circuit (IC) design and medical devices, positioning Penang as a green and sustainable technology hub.

He said reclamation works on Silicon Island had reached 500 acres as of October 2026, representing 39.4% of its 1,270-acre Phase One development. A 64.85-acre site had also been prepared for the Mutiara Line LRT depot.

Speaking when tabling the Penang Budget 2027 at the State Legislative Assembly, Chow said Silicon Island was expected to generate long-term economic benefits. As of September 30, 2026, a total of 4,531 contracts worth RM1.92 billion had been awarded to local contractors and businesses.

Beyond Silicon Island, the state is also strengthening its semiconductor ecosystem through initiatives such as the Malaysia Automation, Test and Equipment (ATE) Campus in Batu Kawan. The Federal Government has allocated RM25 million for the project, while Penang is contributing 10 acres of industrial land worth approximately RM40 million.

Penang’s chip design ecosystem has also expanded, growing from around 25 companies to more than 50, supported by the Penang Silicon Design @5KM+ initiative.

Meanwhile, the proposed Penang Technology Finance Centre (PTFC), backed by a RM100 million strategic investment partnership between the Federal and state governments, aims to strengthen technology financing and attract further investments.

Chow stressed that these developments must translate into quality employment, higher incomes and suitable housing for skilled workers. Rumah Bakat Madani developments in Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, and Lorong Tenggiri, Seberang Jaya, are among the initiatives aimed at providing accommodation for professionals and industrial workers.

Other strategic developments planned by the Penang Development Corporation include Penang International Logistics Aeropark, Batu Kawan Industrial Park 3, Bandar Cassia Technology Park and the Seberang Perai Tengah New Corridor.

Together, these initiatives are expected to strengthen Penang’s position as a major technology and manufacturing hub while creating new investment and employment opportunities across the state.

Penang has delivered 176,457 affordable housing units under its Rumah MutiaraKu (RMKu) programme, achieving 80.21% of its target of providing 220,000 units by 2030.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow announced the figures when tabling the Penang 2027 State Budget at the State Legislative Assembly, highlighting the state government’s continued focus on expanding affordable housing opportunities.

He said the state would continue strengthening its housing agenda through additional RMKu developments, Rent-to-Own (RTO) schemes, urban renewal initiatives and the utilisation of suitable land for housing projects.

Under the Penang Housing Board’s 2021–2030 development blueprint, 22 projects have been identified, comprising 13 RMKu developments and nine urban renewal projects. These initiatives are expected to deliver a further 18,342 affordable housing units.

The state is also looking into changing housing needs, particularly among single individuals and elderly people living alone. In 2027, the Penang Housing Board will explore co-living concepts, potentially introducing them to selected state-owned rental housing and People’s Housing Programme (PPR) units.

Meanwhile, the state government has approved 578 residential lease extension applications since 2025, covering areas including Batu Kawan, Juru, Permatang Tinggi and Jelutong. The approvals allow eligible landowners to extend their lease tenure to 99 years.

Chow encouraged eligible landowners to submit their applications to their respective district and land offices in 2027.

On land taxation, Penang’s land tax review implemented in 2026 marked the first adjustment in 32 years. As at October 29, 2026, land tax collections reached RM167.59 million, an increase of RM51.54 million or 44.41% compared with RM116.05 million in 2025.

Despite providing a 50% land tax rebate and approving appeals for reductions, the state recorded higher collections. The government has agreed to continue the 50% rebate in 2027, subject to applicable conditions.

Penang has been named the world’s most budget-friendly city for digital nomads, topping a new international study that compared 26 cities across 15 countries.

The study, conducted by digital marketing agency Click Intelligence and featured in Moneywise in October, gave Penang an overall score of 0.78, placing it ahead of several popular destinations in Asia and Europe.

Busan in South Korea came second, followed by Kuala Lumpur in third place. Fukuoka and Seoul, both in South Korea, completed the top five. Other cities in the top 10 included Tartu, Chiang Mai, Valencia, Osaka and Brno.

The study estimated that living in Penang costs around €850 (approximately RM3,860) a month, including rent. It also highlighted the island’s affordable lifestyle, internet connectivity, safety and access to Malaysia’s DE Rantau Nomad Pass, which allows eligible remote workers to stay in the country for 12 months, with an option to renew.

Click Intelligence co-founder and director James Owen noted that language is rarely a barrier in Penang, where English is widely spoken, while Malaysia is generally considered a safe place to live.

Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the recognition reflected the state’s growing appeal among digital nomads and international visitors.

He added that beyond affordable living, Penang’s UNESCO World Heritage status, multicultural heritage, renowned food, vibrant arts scene and natural attractions make it an attractive place to live, work and explore.

The recognition also supports the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its tourism industry and creative economy.