September 2026

The September Issue Is Out Now! Penang Monthly’s September issue explores the vibrant world of Penang’s pasar malam, highlighting their food, culture, community, traditions, and evolving role in island 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.

Selangor Passes Two Key Reform Bills

5 min read

POLICY REFORMS CAN be a drawn-out and laborious process, but once in a blue moon you get a sudden windfall – and this makes it all worth the wait. In the March 2011 Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting, two significant things took place.

by Tricia Yeoh

Innovating Up To Speed – Measuring Penang’s Innovative Capabilities

28 min read

RECENTLY, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the plan for the development of Greater Penang, which would comprise the state of Penang and extend to the Kulim High Tech Park and Perak industrial parks.

by Norlela Ariffin

Norlela Ariffin

Is The CPI Vulnerable to Mood Swings?

3 min read

The consumer price index or CPI measures price movements from one year to the next, giving us an indication of inflation. A variety of consumption items goes into computing the CPI but each is given a different weight.

by Amirul Syakirin Ahmad Jamil

Amirul Syakirin Ahmad Jamil

Straits Muslims: Diasporas of the Northern Passage of the Straits of Malacca

4 min read

MARITIME SOUTH-EAST ASIA WAS – and is – a region filled with port cities. Such urban centres tend to concentrate both power and money. But more th...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Rising Commodity Prices – Alarm Bells For Malaysia?

13 min read

INTERNATIONAL BODIES INCLUDING the G-20, the FAO, the IEA, the IMF and the IBRD are worried1. These agencies rang the alarm bells recently, stating that risin...

by Herbert Poenisch

Herbert Poenisch

Trying to unmask Khoo Sui Hoe

9 min read

He’s the painting himself. He’s all over the canvases, one way or the other, there in personifications or in his worldview projections which co...

by Ooi Kok Chuen

Penetrating The New Frontier of Medical Devices

5 min read

PENETRATING THE medical devices industry sits high on the wish list of many local manufacturing entities. However, the stringent quality standards associated with the medical and healthcare industry act as natural deterrents.

by Poh Heem Heem

Poh Heem Heem

Marking George Town

2 min read

Labourers tasked with road repair in Transfer Road, back in the day. (Picture extracted from Penang Postcard Collection 1899–1930s by Khoo Salma Nasutio...

by Penang Monthly

Muslim Mercantile Activities in George Town Before The Second World War

9 min read

BUSINESS AND TRADING ACTIVITIES were not foreign to the Malays at the time when Francis Light occupied Penang on August 11, 1786; various bazaars were opened by Chinese, Indians and Muslims from Kedah to sell essential goods like foodstuffs, rice, spices, clothing and other items.

by Mahani Musa

Mahani Musa

Freedom of Political Speech and Social Responsibility in Malaysia

3 min read

THE CORE IDEA OF freedom of speech is the freedom to express and communicate ideas and thoughts without fear of the consequences. In political contexts, such freedom includes the freedom of the press, the right to peaceable assembly...

by John Horton

John Horton

Reading The Numbers: The Bank Negara Report 2010

9 min read

THE BANK NEGARA REPORT on the economic performance of the nation in 2010 was released in March 2011. To date, SERI is the only Malaysian institution that analyses the central bank’s figures in the...

by Chan Huan Chiang

Chan Huan Chiang

Malihom–Arty Resort And Affluent Refuge

7 min read

Adrian Chan.COME JULY, the bountiful harvest of durians, mangosteens, rambutans and langsats is an epicurean delight for residents of the Malihom eco-reso...

by Ooi Kok Chuen

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