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.

Rasa Sayang’s Cool Lounge

4 min read

It was three days after Christmas in Penang. The weather was erratic and the traffic was mad. All I wanted was some coffee and cake. The timing couldn’t have been better for me, because just down the road from me, Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa had recently launched their F.I.P. Lounge.

by Emilia Ismail

Road Tripping with Long-Distance Parents

5 min read

When you have been living far apart from your parents for a long time, you acquire your own habits. And when they come to visit, playing host to and going on a road trip together with them can be a meaningful, albeit exhausting experience.

by Marco Ferrarese

Choong Kam Kow – A this-worldly visionary

7 min read

At 80, Choong Kam Kow is finally getting his hugely deserved “Oscar” moment in his major Retrospective, honoured by the National Visual Arts Gallery.

by Ooi Kok Chuen

Singapore – A Tough Love Story

5 min read

Not easy being a small nation with no natural resources surrounded by bigger neighbours, thrown out by Malaysia in 1965 to survive on its own and turning out, despite the odds, to become one of the most successful countries on Earth.

by Kee Thuan Chye

Taking Freedom with the Press

4 min read

In Art Printing Works, loyal old staff run the modern machinery that prints school textbooks and other materials while the young are designers who collaborate with the company to come up with new designs and products.

by Carolyn Hong

No Automatic New Start For Penang as a City

4 min read

Will city status for Penang Island bring a new mindset to citizens, to councilors and to officials? That is doubtful. But with concerted and conscious action from all parties concerned, there is always hope.

by Datuk Dr. Goh Ban Lee

Should We Fear Death or Longevity?

6 min read

With better healthcare and medical breakthroughs, the life expectancy for humans has almost doubled over the last 60 years. But what does that financially mean, and can it spell disaster for governments with ageing populations?

by Dr. Lim Kim-Hwa

#jesuischarlie: Will the Real Charlie Please Stand Up?

9 min read

Within hours of the first terrorist attacks in Paris, the hash tag “#jesuischarlie” (I am Charlie) began to rapidly trend on Twitter. As the violence continued for two more days, the hash tag was retweeted more than three million times.

by Bram Tan

The Unity Fetish

10 min read

Building a nation involves sustained emotional stimulation, while building a state is more of a legal and technical matter. Balancing the two is the key to social stability and dynamism.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Assorted Measures Needed to Empower Women

8 min read

Five years away from 2020, Malaysia still showcases a dismally low number of women in positions of power. To improve this figure seriously, it is perhaps time to consider implementing gender quotas in politics.

by Sharon W.H. Ling

Foreign Students Learning the Hard Way

6 min read

Increasingly restrictive policies related to the issuance of student visas have transformed Malaysia from a rising education hub to a foreign student’s worst nightmare.

by Marco Ferrarese

Shelter For Those Who Seek Their Way Back

5 min read

From 2000 to 2008, as many as 126,000 cases of drug abuse were reported in Malaysia. Each year brings approximately 14,000 new cases. These drug abusers tend to be young – over 71% of them range from 25 to 29 years old.

by Teo Sue Ann

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