Penang drives growth for local startup scene

 

(From left) Zairil and Ng checking out the calendar of events for PENtastic Startup Month 2026 at Komtar. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

ENTREPRENEURS and aspiring business owners in Penang will have 30 opportunities this month to meet potential investors, build industry connections and learn how to turn their ideas into viable businesses.

The activities, organised under PENtastic Startup Month 2026 from Nov 1 to 30, will involve at least 21 organisations brought together by Digital Penang.

Penang digital committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the month-long initiative would bring together startups, entrepreneurs, innovators, technologists and industry players through a series of programmes held across the state.

“The initiative is not intended to be another standalone conference but a common platform to connect existing programmes and activities organised by different organisations,” he said during a press conference at Komtar.

Zairil said Penang’s startup ecosystem currently comprised about 354 companies, making it the second largest in Malaysia, with the state aiming to grow the number to 500 by 2030.

He said the startup ecosystem was estimated to contribute RM340mil in revenue and create 2,600 high-income jobs in Penang.

He added that a strong startup ecosystem required more than funding, incubators, technology infrastructure and the number of companies established, stressing that connections and engagement among ecosystem players were equally important.

Zairil said the participating organisations represented a broad range of stakeholders, including startup founders, technology companies, corporate training providers, universities, associations and community groups from Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

“The activities would cover artificial intelligence (AI), business digitalisation, startup financing, investment readiness, marketing, talent development, sustainability, business strategy and creative entrepreneurship,” he said.

Among the highlights of the event are Startup Venture Vibes and Creative Content AI 1-Person Company (AI-OPC) Showcase, which aims to explore opportunities for entrepreneurs to use AI in creative content production and business development.

The month-long initiative would also feature a Culture of Startups Photography Exhibition, showcasing the people, workplaces and everyday experiences behind startup companies.

Zairil said startups needed greater access to industry knowledge, mentoring, potential customers, investors and opportunities to test and commercialise their solutions, while small and medium enterprises (SMEs) needed practical exposure to digital technologies and emerging business models.

Digital Penang would coordinate the initiative and provide a common promotional platform, while participating organisations would contribute and run their respective programmes.

Present at the event were Digital Penang chief executive officer Ng Kwang Ming, and business ecosystem development director Lim Chong Seng.

Ng said Digital Penang wanted PENtastic Startup Month to give founders and SMEs practical opportunities to build their knowledge, explore digital tools and connect with people who can support their next stage of growth.

“By bringing independently organised activities onto one shared platform, we are making it easier for participants to discover relevant programmes and engage with Penang’s startup community,” he said.

For details on the event dates and venues, go to https://startup.digitalpenang.my/pentastic-startup-month-2026/

Time to Rethink Water Use; Six months of free water, rebates

 Penangites waking up to higher water bill reality

From cheap to pinch: Penangites are unhappy about the new water tariff hike as they feel it is a burden. — KT GOH/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: Having boasted the cheapest water in the country for almost 30 years, Penangites received a wake-up call when the new water tariff was announced.

Now, many Penangites realise that they had taken cheap water for granted and they are feeling the pinch.

Retiree Mariam Abdul, 59, said her household of six family members saw their two-month water bill shoot from about RM50 to RM150.

Penang homes are billed for water once every two months since 25 years ago.

“We never really thought about how much water we used because our water bills were always so low,” she said.

The recent increase has prompted Mariam to become more mindful and encourage her family members to adopt better habits.

According to the former teacher they have begun checking for leaks, installing water-saving devices and turning off taps while brushing teeth or washing dishes.

“It has been a learning curve, but it is worth trying,” said the grandmother of four.

This sentiment is echoed by another Penangite, Ronny Lim, 39, who described his latest water bill as a “wake-up call”.

“We used to take things lightly, like using the water hose freely while washing our cars. Now, we start with a pail of soapy water before spraying the cars down,” he said.

The factory technician even stopped his children from playing with water while taking long baths.

“With the cost of almost everything going up now, I guess the price of water must go up too,” Lim said.

For the first 20,000 litres, Penangites used to pay just 22 sen per 1,000 litres. As of February, that became 62 sen (up 182%).

For 21,000 litres to 35,000 litres, it became RM1.17 per 1,000 litres (up 154% from 46 sen). Additional water consumption incurs much higher surcharges.

Penang’s water rates had stayed the same for almost 30 years, causing tap water here to be the cheapest in the country for over a generation.

Although water rates in all states were reviewed earlier this year, hundreds of Penangites had lodged official complaints and even the state assemblymen grumbled.

One of them was Batu Lanchang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong from DAP, who said the increase has burdened the people from the lower-income group.

“We are not opposed to the increase, but it should have been implemented gradually and incrementally, rather than a sudden 200% hike,” he said.

Seberang Jaya assemblyman Izhar Shah Arif Shah from Bersatu said, “don’t expect people to accept a high increase. It should be done in stages, not abruptly.”

Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said it was high time now for Penangites to use water wisely as it is a vital resource.

He said that despite the increase, the Penang water tariff is still among the lowest in the country.“The increase will help raise funds for much-needed water infrastructure projects such as pipe replacements and the building of new water treatment plants to ensure our water security,” he said.

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Six months of free water, rebates

Easing the burden: The Penang government responds to criticism over new water tariffs by offering 10,000 litres of water free for six months, starting July. Households will save RM6.20 per bill, with larger families earning below RM5,000 receiving an additional RM20 rebate. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: After receiving widespread criticism for its new domestic water tariff rates introduced in February, the Penang government has decided to offer consumers the first 10,000 litres of water for free for the next six months starting July.

Since Penang households are billed for water once every two months, this rebate will translate into savings of RM6.20 per bill for consumers.

Larger households with income of below RM5,000 will receive a RM20 rebate under the Family Friendly Rebate scheme, said Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari.

“The exemption and rebate will be given from July to December.

“The state takes note of complaints regarding the new domestic water tariff rates following readjustment by the National Water Service Commission (SPAN) which has been in effect since February.

“Although Penang still enjoys the second lowest tariff in the country with the new tariff rates, many had complained due to the drastic increase from the previous tariff which was adjusted after 31 years for the first band (20 cubic metres) and nine years for the other bands.

“Therefore, the state has instructed the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) to offer rebate for those residing in Penang,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“Water would be free for the first 10,000 litres for each bill for the next six months from July to December.

“The RM20 Family Friendly Rebate scheme for large households (eight people and above) would be expanded to those with an income of RM5,000 and below; an increase from RM2,250 previously,” he said.

With the rebates, Zairil said all domestic water consumers would enjoy a rebate of RM6.20 for each bill.

“For example, users in the first band only need to pay RM6.20 (RM12.40 minus RM6.20) for two months, while consumers in the second band, billed for RM30, only need to pay RM23.80 for two months’ consumption,” he added.

There are around 660,000 PBAPP account holders in Penang.

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Penang water consumers to get new rebate scheme in July