February 2026

Our latest issue explores how third places—from bookstores and gardens to KOMTAR—shape community life in Penang, while reflecting on sustainability, inclusion, and the island’s rich history.

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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.

Why Such Fear of Unity?

5 min read

Negara-ku is a movement that, among other things, aims to promote unity, peace and harmony, and oppose racism, hatred, extremism and violence. It wants to restore hope in multiracial, multi-religious, multi-cultural Malaysia.

by Kee Thuan Chye

Making federalism REAL

17 min read

Malaysia Day celebrations.Many West Malaysians will find it mind-boggling for Malaysians one day to celebrate three national days: August 31 as Merdeka Da...

by Penang Monthly

Improving medicine through trial

10 min read

“Do you work in a lab with rats?” is the most common question I get when I tell people I work in clinical research. There is a general misunderstand...

by Ch’ng Chin Chin

Leaning On No Man

6 min read

Will it ever be possible for a woman to exist on her own terms, or will cultural reinforcement beat that notion down?

by Yap Jo-yee

Are you buying slavery?

7 min read

Lai (not her real name) paid for her own airfare to get from Ho Chi Minh to KL. After arriving, she was arranged to work in a massage parlour where her employer...

by Ch’ng Chin Chin

Grooving for animals

3 min read

Bibi Kpoh.What started out three years ago as an effort by the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) to raise money for its inc...

by Julia Tan

Putting all into the job

7 min read

It is a dog eat dog world in sales. But whether you’re selling concrete or a destination, the same values ought to be present, such as honesty, perseveran...

by Julia Tan

No easy task to educate

6 min read

Nothing could have prepared me for school. If I thought having a degree from a US college and a job at a big consulting firm in the city were enough, I was wron...

by Penang Monthly

From China with Love

6 min read

If you spend a few hours in any of KL’s shopping malls (and increasingly, Penang and other major Malaysian cities), you might perchance notice a number of...

by Marco Ferrarese

South China Sea: What’s at stake?

5 min read

With the discovery of oil in Sarawak in 1910, the foundation of Malaysia’s oil and gas industry was laid and changed its economy forever. Mainly located i...

by Penang Monthly

Highlights of George Town Festival 2014

16 min read

Wrecking Crew Orchestra EL Squad.Shanghai Starlight Acrobatic Troupe.Bunditpatanasilpa Institute.Racehorse Company....

by Julia Tan

Eight bountiful acres

4 min read

The way to 8 Acres was very fruitful, pun intended. In the car with friends and colleagues, we made a brief stop along the trunk road for some nangka. Each frui...

by Penang Monthly

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