Penang Monthly

Penang Monthly, by Penang Institute, is the voice of Penang, offering insights on its people, politics, economy, culture, and society, with a focus on local and national issues for curious Malaysians.

824 posts

After the good start, let's get the rest high

6 min read

Two months ago, I wrote in this column about the issue of English and asked whether our government would give the language the importance it deserves and get ou...

by Penang Monthly

Reforming Education

11 min read

Man of Mathematics was the title of the book, a parting gift from Mr Paul Pommel, my father’s secondary school teacher who finished his term as a Peace Co...

by Penang Monthly

A feast of fish

2 min read

There is no cold hard rule to eating at a buffet, but to not miss out on anything, we started with the line-up of appetizers, diving into the refreshing and mod...

by Penang Monthly

An Operetta on Masked Revenge

4 min read

Applause, laughter and gasps reverberated throughout Dewan Sri Pinang when Die Fledermaus took the stage on September 28. Sung in English (with lyrics projected...

by Penang Monthly

The Tailor of Bishop Street

3 min read

I first met Lee in 1999 when my husband suddenly moved to a job that required him to be in an office and wear suits. Tukang Jahit Soon Loong was recommended by...

by Penang Monthly

Tropfest comes to Penang

4 min read

What started out 20 years ago as an informal short film festival for friends in the Tropicana cafe in Sydney, Australia is now the largest short film festival i...

by Penang Monthly

Awed by the Korean DMZ

5 min read

The border between North and South Korea. The Demilitarized Zone. DMZ. Not your typical tourist destination. What started off like a bad trip to a theme park du...

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Ecstatic about short + sweet

5 min read

Short+Sweet Theatre Festival 2013.I still remember the rush I felt in the weeks leading up to last year’s Short+Sweet theatre Festival. It was my ve...

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VIDDSEE, make south-east Asia films available

6 min read

It’s a Sunday a ernoon and Derek Tan and Ho Jia Jian are chatting with me via Skype (both of them are based in Singapore). Ho, the Malaysian half of the d...

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Boxers in boxes, a different kind of Shaolin show

3 min read

The curtain swept aside to reveal a stark stage setting of 21 wooden boxes designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley, as the audience at Dewan Sr...

by Penang Monthly

Penang's secret hash society

6 min read

I am a runner. I may not stride at a blistering pace, but I do run when and where I travel. I get out in the early mornings before it is too hot. Last summer my...

by Penang Monthly

Homeless in Penang

5 min read

Penang is perceived as a food paradise, a world-class tourist destination and the all- round place to be. George Town is the cultural heart of the island state....

by Penang Monthly