The State of The Economy
10 min read
The 2011 Budget signals troubling reliance on private growth. Without economic decentralisation and public sector expansion, Malaysia risks stalling in the middle-income trap.
November 2026
Penang Monthly | November 2026 is out now. This month, we journey through Penang’s South Asian links—from the enduring energy of George Town’s Little India to the remarkable restoration of Wadda Gurdwara Sahib. Discover stories of Punjabi cha, Ganesha at the threshold, traditional trades, migration, literature, art and the people keeping living heritage alive across Penang. Because heritage is more than buildings and archives—it is found in the languages we speak, the food we share, the work we do and the memories we carry.
SERI seeks to offer policy alternatives
6 min read
There are think tanks, and there are think tanks. Penang’s own think tank, the Socio-Economic and Environmental Research Institute (SERI), is seeking to differentiate itself by playing a role as not just the state’s preeminent think tank, but also as “devil’s advocate”.
Tighter cooperation between Pakatan Rakyat-run states
6 min read
The mass media tends to drown out the steady progress of what the Pakatan Rakyat state governments are actually doing on a daily basis. Their learning curve on gaining power at state level was no doubt steep, but where policies are concerned, their achievements have been impressive.
A-G’s report on Penang’s financial status: Positive feedback with some concerns
4 min read
Despite the positive response from the Auditor-General regarding Penang’s financial statement and financial management, it is nevertheless important to understand to what extent the current government spends its resources.
Raising Komtar
5 min read
The records show that the Komplex Tun Abdul Razak's (Komtar) tower at its completion in 1985 was the tallest building in Asia - and Malaysia of course.
Lim Chong Eu Revisited
16 min read
Those who worked with and knew Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu share their recollections of Penang's former Chief Minister.
Turning Points: Ups and downs of Penang’s economy
10 min read
Today, there is a wide variety of methods used by different agencies to detect and announce dates when the economy makes a regime change from the peak and going into recession, and from the trough to begin another period of expansion.
Making future artists better
9 min read
Throw a stone and you would hit a few Datuks. The joke may be trite, but for artists, “Datukships” are exceptions to the rule. Still, Penang is one state that has conferred the coveted award on six of its visual artists, and all deservingly so.
Jordan Plofsky: Acknowledging Results and Recognising Performance
5 min read
With more than 20 years of leadership experience, spanning from system and technologies to semiconductor and marketing, including positions at LSI Logic, Analog Devices and Harris Corporation, Jordan is a firm believer in leadership development.
Palm Oil Remains Key Export For Malaysia
4 min read
The palm oil industry has been in existence in Malaysia for more than a hundred years. The palm originated in West Africa, and it was the British who first brought it to Malaya in the 1870s.
Before Palm Oil, There Was Coconut Oil...
5 min read
Coconuts turned out to be the only crop successfully cultivated on a large scale on the island, contributing considerably to the economy for almost one century. Why and how did coconuts become such as an important commercial crop in Penang?
Explore column