December 2025

Our December issue examines the flavours, practices and foodways that define Malaysian life, from home kitchens and inherited techniques to the diverse cultural influences that shape Penang’s palate.

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A publication of Penang Institute, Penang Monthly is the voice of Penang - an inspiring read for the curious Malaysian, featuring stories about the people, ideas, and issues shaping the state's well-being. Sign up for a free account to enjoy unlimited access to all our articles.

The Wider Implications of Minimum Wage

12 min read

On June 30, 2011, the National Wage Consultative Council Act 2011 was passed after four hours of debate. It replaces the Wages Council Act 1947 and will assess wage levels by sectors, types and regions in preparation for a national minimum wage policy by the end of the year.

by Chan Huan Chiang

Chan Huan Chiang

Living Life As Art

8 min read

SO OBVIOUS, yet so odd. Syed Ahmad Jamal: ARTIST – that was the title of his last major exhibition, held from October 2009 until January 2010.Maybe it c...

by Ooi Kok Chuen

Medical Devices Manufacturing: Penang Pursues The New Frontier (Part 2)

5 min read

The healthcare industry is a robust and stable industry, comprising several sectors which are dedicated to providing healthcare services and products. Apart from primary activities which focus on human wellbeing, it also includes the high-technology aspect of medical equipment, instrumentation...

by Poh Heem Heem

Poh Heem Heem

Economic Ripples of July’s Rally

5 min read

AS GLOBAL MARKET STOCKS rise and fall, bringing with them more financial uncertainty and a likely global slowdown at least for the short term, it is important to examine how political conditions within Malaysia affect its economic performance.

by Bridget Welsh

Bridget Welsh

No Two Ways About Integrity

6 min read

On August 12, 2011, Tunku Abdul Aziz, the senator representing Penang in the Dewan Negara, was conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa by his alma mater, the University of Tasmania at Hobart, Australia. We proudly reproduce his acceptance speech here for all to read.

by Tunku Abdul Aziz

Tunku Abdul Aziz

The Spice Island of Penang, 1834

5 min read

PENANG HAS been a spice island from the period nearly of its first settlement. Pepper engrossed the consideration of capitalists for many years, and until...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Transcending Dualism In Public Administration

3 min read

THE OLD GREEK philosophy has a famous law, the law of non-contradiction, which says, a thing cannot be its opposite in the same time-space continuum. In pl...

by Steven Sim

Making Housing Affordable In Urban States

7 min read

MALAYSIANS LOVE to talk about property. Most opening conversations of late sound something like, “Property prices are so high these days! I am just waiting for the property bubble to burst before making my purchase”;

by Tricia Yeoh

Optimistic Economic Outlook For Penang and Malaysia

4 min read

CLUEDO SUSPECTS is a card game of logical deduction – information regarding a mysterious crime is spread within a few players and each player attempts to...

by Penang Monthly

The First Penang In Asia Lecture Series

6 min read

In June, the International Monetary Fund issued a downward revision of its global economic growth forecast of April 2011 to show smaller growth for developed countries and stronger growth for developing countries.

by Selvarani Suppiah & Marisa Heah

Selvarani Suppiah Marisa Heah

Fair Election Postponed Is Democracy Denied

6 min read

WILL the next general election be fair? This question has become urgent and pressing as claims are surfacing that the electoral roll is not clean, and fears are being raised that recent immigrants might be issued blue identity cards to enable them to vote.

by Kee Thuan Chye

Love And More Is All Around

6 min read

What makes Penang stand out is its streets history being lived against a backdrop of ancient architecture and the air scented by hawker wares and musically scored by vehicles peopled by diverse seekers of lifetime fortune and night-long adventure.

by Gabija Grusaite

Gabija Grusaite

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