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.

No Country A Contemporary Art Exhibition Without Borders

8 min read

The Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Initiative is a five-year programme which stretches across three regions: South and South-East Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa.

by Julia Tan

Keeping Silambam Spinning

5 min read

On Penang Island, a small group of dedicated Tamils fights the odds to ensure that an ancient martial art stays alive.

by Marco Ferrarese & Chan Kit Yeng

Is the Nursing Profession in Good Health?

12 min read

In February, an Air Asia advertisement caused an uproar among the nursing community – and for good reason.

by Julia Tan

As Travellers Get Smart, Hoteliers Have to Get Smarter

4 min read

The travel business has been revolutionized, bringing pressures and opportunities to hoteliers and travelers alike. WIT, a travel news portal supported by Penang Global Tourism, will try to bring Penang’s hoteliers up to date at a workshop in July at China House.

by Yeoh Siew Hoon

Aiming for Developed Yet Healthy Cities

7 min read

Anthony Capon’s first trip to Penang was as a medical student in 1981, and 30-odd years later, he is stunned by how much Penang has changed.

by Jeffrey Hardy Quah

107.6FM – Finally A Radio Station for Women in Penang

7 min read

It is Malaysia’s only English radio station for women, and in March this year, Capital FM, which has 121,000 listeners weekly, ventured north to Penang (previously it could only be heard in the Klang Valley). But what exactly does a radio station for women broadcast?

by Julia Tan

Hai Ki Xin Lor: Acknowledging Penang Hokkien

5 min read

This August, the George Town Festival will close with an original play that celebrates the Penang tongue.

by Julia Tan

An analysis of Penang

3 min read

 Penang is geographically divided into two sections, Penang Island and Seberang Perai (SP). The two sections are then further subdivided into five dist...

by Penang Monthly

NonserviaM lifts heavy metal higher

5 min read

Non Serviam is the title of Greek black metal stalwarts Rotting Christ’s popular 1994 album, but there is no musical analogy between them and Penang&rsq...

by Marco Ferrarese

Time for Asean art to flourish

7 min read

Stakeholders in the art world in South- East Asia are beginning to talk and work with one another again. This is a very promising development. One conversation...

by Ooi Kok Chuen

Exaggerating the urban-rural divide is no help

4 min read

It’s been two months since the byelection in Teluk Intan, a semi-urban seat in Perak, dealt the opposition Pakatan alliance a shock defeat. It had not rea...

by Penang Monthly

It begins with the narrative...

7 min read

When Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak invented the phrase "human rights-ism" in May to denounce humanism, secularism and liberalism as ideological thre...

by Penang Monthly

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