March 2026

Our latest issue explores ageing as renewal, inspired by Ooi Kee Beng’s “liberational ageing.” Stories include love rediscovered, digital confidence among seniors, caregiving, and ageing in Penang, alongside women’s underrepresentation in politics, Penang’s GBS innovation frontier, future-ready education, GTLF highlights, outdoor adventures—and more, reflecting how purpose, participation, and meaning can be cultivated at every stage of 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.

The Joyous Opportunity for Interest

4 min read

Ooi Kee Beng’s living bookshelf reveals the many lives he has touched and aspired to—historian, writer, artist—each spine a testament to his enduring curiosity and spirit.

by Cian Sacker Ooi

Ooi Kee Beng at ISEAS: Ideas, Innovation and Inspiration

3 min read

Ooi Kee Beng spent over a decade at ISEAS, where his leadership, prolific academic work, and dedication to research left a lasting impact on the Institute and the region's scholarship.

by Francis Hutchinson

Tribute to Prof. Dato' Dr. Zulfigar Yasin: The Guiding Light That Keeps Glowing

5 min read

On 3 February 2025, we we bid farewell to Zulfigar Yasin, aka Prof. Zul. A mentor and friend, his brilliance and grace left a lasting impact on science, CEMACS, and all who knew him.

by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Aileen Tan

When The Waters Recede: Walking to Batu Ferringhi Isle

6 min read

Often called Lover’s Isle by locals, Batu Ferringhi—or Foreigner’s Rock—is the very isle that lent its name to the long stretch of coastline beside it, now one of Penang’s tourist attractions.

by Rexy Prakash Chacko

Aquaculture Can Ensure Food Security For Penang

5 min read

In 2017, Penang Institute did a study on the agriculture sector. According to an executive summary by Negin Vaghefi, aquaculture has become increasingly important due to rising population and income driving demand for fish.

by Ian McIntyre

Do You Have an Emergency Bag Packed?

2 min read

We asked our subscribers and social media followers if they have an emergency bag packed at home and here are the results.

by Penang Monthly

Securing a Future for Malaysia's Paddy Farming

5 min read

Malaysian paddy farming is confronted by a myriad of issues endangering its endurance and feasibility, notably in Penang, where city growth and financial progress have altered the farming terrain.

by Hajar Ariff

Merdeka For Whom? Ooi Kee Beng Rethinks Malaysia's Nationhood

4 min read

Ooi Kee Beng, a prolific writer and academic, continues to shape discourse through Penang Monthly, Penang Institute, and his regular column in The Edge.

by Carolyn Khor

A Mind That Inspires, A Mentor Who Guides

4 min read

At his core, Kee Beng is an anarchist—not in the reckless, chaotic sense, but philosophically. He distrusts power structures that stifle independent thought, and he resists hierarchies that demand obedience over understanding.

by Dr. Beh May Ting

Renewable Energy In Malaysia: The Hard Truth And The Way Forward

11 min read

MALAYSIA IS AT an energy crossroads, but most Malaysians don‘t even realise it. For decades, the global narrative on…

by Lionel Yap Teck Liong

As the Sun Warms the Valley…

3 min read

I AM IN the foothills of the peninsula’s main mountain range, off Gopeng. It is early morning, 7am. From…

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Wealth Tax Systems Needed in ASEAN

4 min read

THIS YEAR, Malaysia chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). But ASEAN is not just about government-to-government ties, neither…

by Ian McIntyre

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