Among these are the Sahabat Alam Malaysia, the country’s leading civil society social environment organisation, and Pantai Acheh, the world’s smallest national park and Consumer’s Association of Penang whose well-researched studies have provided substantive strength on many fronts to Malaysians. As a port city, there is potential for maritime education and research. Above all, the Penang area has a significant repository of diverse ethnic groups, including retirees and expatriates, who constitute an untapped source of talent.