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.

Manufacturing in Penang: Onwards and Upwards

6 min read

In 2013, Penang's share of the manufacturing sector to the overall GDP of the state was almost equal to that of the service sector, at 47.8%. Penang shows that its manufacturers have a higher overall share towards its income than the Malaysian average.

by Tim Niklas Schoepp

Demographics of A Diverse Malaysia

4 min read

Malaysia is made up of many races and cultures, the predominant ones being the Malays, Chinese and Indians on the peninsula. For February, to accompany our cover story, here are the figures on Malaysia’s demographic makeup.

by Penang Monthly

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

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