Malaysia’s leading celebration of stories returns for its 15th edition! This year’s George Town Literary Festival explores Urban Myths and Memories through panels, readings, performances, and workshops featuring 37 writers and artists from 13 countries.

George Town Literary Festival 2025 

Malaysia’s leading celebration of stories returns for its 15th edition! This year’s George Town Literary Festival explores Urban Myths and Memories through panels, readings, performances, and workshops featuring 37 writers and artists from 13 countries.

Join us in Penang’s heritage heart for three days of conversation, creativity, and discovery. Admission is free with a Festival Pass, except for workshops and select events.

Explore the full programme breakdown on the official George Town Literary Festival website.

Programme at a glance:

29 November

4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

Book launch: Misgovernance

Location

Wawasan Reading Room

Penguin presents Misgovernance by renowned political economist Terence Gomez, a timely study of power, institutions, and accountability in Malaysia. Tracing decades of state capture, corporate collusion, and policy failures, Gomez reveals how misrule has shaped the nation’s political economy. Clear, incisive, and uncompromising, this book is an urgent call to confront systemic dysfunction and imagine pathways to reform.

Speakers: Terence Gomez
Moderator/Host: Beh May Ting