Local travel magazine celebrates 100th edition

(From left) Wong, Chow, Ch’ng and Yussoff looking through the 100th Special Edition of iNPenang at St Giles Wembley Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

Founder reflects on 18 years of print and launches 96-page special issue about Penang’s business and tourism

Penang’s popular travel and business magazine iNPenang has marked another milestone of spirit and progress with its 100th edition.

After 18 years in publication, the magazine would continue to serve and diversify, said its founder and editor-in-chief Datuk Ch’ng Huck Theng.

“In 2006, with support from the state, we came up with the first iNPenang magazine for tourists, in which former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon also chipped in and contributed ideas.

“Subsidies for the magazine were put to a halt in 2008 when DAP took over the state.

“We almost discontinued the magazine, but overwhelming response from the public encouraged us to stay on.

“The state, noting the problem, stepped in and we received blessing a few weeks later with a relaunch of the magazine by then chief minister Lim Guan Eng.

“Since the relaunch, iNPenang has been the leading tourism and society publication in town where one can pick up a copy from the transport terminals, shopping centres, tourist attractions and hotels.

“Despite government subsidies being insufficient for the thousands of prints annually, I believe Penang being among the best tourist destinations in the world must have its own magazine.

“Hence, international editions of iNPenang were introduced in various languages such as English, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, German and Chinese,” said Ch’ng during a ceremony to launch the magazine’s 100th edition at St Giles Wembley Penang.

This special edition features 96 pages of content ranging from business to tourism highlights of the state.

Ch’ng said digital and social media platforms were subsequently introduced to add value to the publication.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who commended the magazine for its success, said its relentless dedication and passion have captured the very spirit of Penang, which was rich in cultures, traditions and modernity.

“Since its inception, iNPenang has served as a valuable resource in comprehending the state’s past, present and future initiatives.

“For years, Penang has contributed significantly to the annual gross domestic product growth of the nation.

“We championed the inflow of investments in the nation with RM71.9bil in 2023, driven by strong foreign direct investments that account for RM61.7bil, or 85.8% of Penang’s manufacturing inflows,” he said.

The ceremony attended by some 200 leaders of the tourism and business industry also saw agreements signed between iNPenang and FilmflixStudio to produce a short documentary series about Penang.

Also present were Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) chairman Tan Sri Yussoff Latiff and Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH) chairman Tan Sri Tan Khoon Hai.