ESTABLISHED in 2006, iNPenang has been a strong voice promoting Penang as a premier destination to visit, invest and live in.
Today, CHTNetwork presented its 100th volume of the iNPenang magazine following a celebratory luncheon at St Giles The Wembley Hotel.
Founder and editor-in-chief of iNPenang Datuk Chng Huck Theng said the 100th volume (special edition) celebrates the corporation’s commitment to Penang and its visitors.
“A heartfelt thanks to Penang Institute and its executive director Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng for their support in featuring Dr Beh May Ting’s article in this special edition.
“Excitingly, we are also launching our sleek iNPenang magazine (Vol. 101). Plus, our iNPenang Best Guide 2024 series will now be a regular highlight, spotlighting the best of Penang in every issue,” he said in his speech.
Chng stressed the importance of preserving the state’s rich culture and heritage while highlighting its strength in tourism and manufacturing.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said iNPenang has been a beacon, offering insights into Penang’s culture, heritage, and innovation over the past 18 years.
“Today, as we celebrate the release of its 100th special edition, we are not just acknowledging a numerical achievement; we are honouring the enduring legacy of a publication that has been instrumental in showcasing the best of Penang to the world.
“The special edition holds a significance that transcends mere numbers. It represents the culmination of years of dedication, passion, and journalistic excellence, serving as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the iNPenang team to deliver quality content to its readers.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire iNPenang team for their dedication and commitment to bringing this special edition to fruition.
“Their efforts have not only shaped the narrative of our beloved state but have also significantly contributed to the promotion of tourism and business within our region,” Wong said in his speech.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that iNPenang has been a cornerstone in understanding the state’s rich history, endeavours and aspirations.
“The publication has been recording Penang’s remarkable journey onto the global stage, particularly in the thriving manufacturing sectors such as electrical and electronics (E&E) and semiconductors, as well as the burgeoning tourism industry.
“Despite its modest size relative to other states, Penang has consistently contributed to the nation’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth over the past decade.
“In fact, Penang has led the nation in attracting investments, with a record-breaking RM71.9 billion influx in 2023. This surge was primarily fueled by robust foreign direct investments (FDIs), accounting for an impressive RM61.7 billion or 85.8% of Penang’s manufacturing investment inflows,” Chow said in his speech before launching iNPenang’s 100th issue and luncheon event at St Giles The Wembley Hotel today.
Chow added that Penang holds significant potential to propel Malaysia towards achieving high-income status, despite challenges from regional geopolitics and volatile global markets.
“With over five decades of leadership in the E&E and semiconductor sectors, Penang excels in back-end chip manufacturing.
“Moreover, the state boasts a burgeoning ecosystem of local tech startups and a dynamic small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) cluster.
“To navigate the competitive landscape shaped by the United States-China strategic competition, Penang must embrace opportunities in front-end chip manufacturing, adopt ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices, and prioritise digitalisation. By doing so, Penang can lead Malaysia towards high-income status more swiftly,” Chow said.
Meanwhile, iNPenang and Filmflix Studio also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the event. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Chow.
iNPenang and Filmflix Studio hoped to create a travel docu-series to promote Penang as a premier tourist destination.
Chow congratulated both iNPenang and Filmflix Studio on their collaboration.
“This partnership represents a proactive approach to promoting Penang to a wider audience,” he said, recognising iNPenang’s success and commitment to community service.
Among the key industry players present were Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) president Tan Sri Dr Mohd Yusoff Latiff, Penang Chinese Town Hall chairman Tan Sri Tan Khoon Hai, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers Penang (FMM Penang) Datuk Seri Lee Teong Li, Malaysian Association of Hotels (Penang Chapter) chairman Datuk Tony Goh, Penang Institute executive director Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Penang office) director Dr Annuar Mohamed, Tourism Malaysia (northern region) regional director Shahrul Aman Sabir Ahmad, Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan, and Filmflix Studio chief executive officer Ramakrishna Karunagaran.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud