March 2026

Our latest issue explores ageing as renewal, inspired by Ooi Kee Beng’s “liberational ageing.” Stories include love rediscovered, digital confidence among seniors, caregiving, and ageing in Penang, alongside women’s underrepresentation in politics, Penang’s GBS innovation frontier, future-ready education, GTLF highlights, outdoor adventures—and more, reflecting how purpose, participation, and meaning can be cultivated at every stage of life.

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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.

Bujang Valley Excavations Expose the Peninsula’s Exciting Past

11 min read

Nestled in the foot of Gunung Jerai and the riverine plains of the Merbok River, the Bujang Valley is widely regarded as the cradle of early civilisation in the Malay Peninsula.

by Dr. Nasha Rodziadi Khaw

Awake in Time for a Terengganu Sunrise

3 min read

Time is ticking by. Flash by flash, wave by wave, breath by breath. Azan by azan, full moon by full moon, sunrise by sunrise. Repeating, reiterating, reciting. And yet, this is but half the story of the universe.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Sex Determination and Facial Approximation Using the Skull of Penang Woman

9 min read

Determining the biological sex of early human remains is a critical step in reconstructing individual identities; sexual dimorphism in the skeleton can provide insights into the biology and social structures of ancient populations.

by Dr. Helmi bin Mohd Hadi Pritam

A Brief History of Archaeology in Malaysia

6 min read

The mid-1970s to 1980s was a watershed moment as Malaysians began to enter the field of archaeology. Among the first few Malaysians who went overseas for postgraduate training and study were Zuraina Majid, the late Nik Hassan Shuhaimi, the late Adi Haji Taha, Leong Sau Heng and Ipoi Datan.

by Dr. Stephen Chia

From Earth To Artefact: Prehistoric Pottery Discoveries in Malaysia

8 min read

Prehistoric pottery in Malaysia is generally characterised by a range of surface treatments and vessel forms that reflect both utilitarian and cultural functions within early societies.

by Dr. Suresh Narayanen

Fists Across the Sea: Wing Chun and Buah Pukul Lian

6 min read

IT IS COMMON knowledge that there are overlaps between various martial arts systems. By design, we have two hands and…

by Muhammad Amirul Naim Rosmi

Mapping Prehistoric Human Settlements on the Malay Peninsula with DNA Sequences

8 min read

In Peninsular Malaysia, scientists have studied the DNA of different ethnic groups to learn more about their ancestral roots.

by Dr. Edinur Hisham Atan

Keeping Penang’s Story Real in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

11 min read

This article discusses the ethical implications of using AI-enhanced and AI-generated imagery in historical storytelling, particularly on social media.

by Eugene Quah

The Painted Cave: Where Ancient Walls Demand Attention

6 min read

Trader’s Cave is a beauty—it made me feel like I just marched into the fortress city of Minas Tirith with giant columns lined at its mouth. After ambling and taking photos over the 200m stretch, we exited, only to be swallowed by the Great Cave.

by Rachel Yeoh

What’s in Our National Museum?

11 min read

Each country may differ in how they present their national storyline. When it comes to formerly colonised countries in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, most showcase the rise of the nation from early civilisation to colonisation and then independence, and later, its current development.

by Muhammad Azam Adnan

Educated but Excluded: Persistent Gender Gaps in Malaysia’s Workforce

8 min read

Despite outnumbering their male peers in higher education institutions for over a decade, Malaysian women remain markedly underrepresented in the workforce.

by Miriam Devaprasana

Bukit Papan: A Little Paradise Overlooking Penang’s South

6 min read

The hills in the southern part of Penang Island may have a lower elevation than the peaks in the north, but they are just as fascinating. While the allure of Penang Hill and the peaks in the north lie in their biodiverse rainforests, the experience in the south is pretty different.

by Rexy Prakash Chacko

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