Way forward for Malaysia’s arts and culture industry

Living heritage: George Town’s Kedai Songkok OSM Mohd Shariff is renowned for its custom-made headgear and has been in existence for almost a century. Any new creative economy policy must include voices of such traditional artisans, says the writer. — Filepic/The Star

PENANG is in my blood, but this isn’t just hometown nostalgia talking. George Town – or Tanjung, as locals call it – has always shown what living culture actually looks like on the street.

Stand in the city’s old quarter on any given morning: The azan from the minaret of Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh drifts across clay-tiled roofs towards the Chinese clan houses; further down, the smell of jasmine garlands and incense from the Goddess of Mercy Temple on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling blends with the sound of temple bells coming from the Sri Mahamariamman Temple in Lebuh Queen.