June 2026

Discover Penang Monthly’s June issue: explore the stories behind Penang’s enduring heritage brands, the richness of its multilingual and multicultural heritage, innovative local businesses, community-led initiatives, and the challenges shaping the state’s future. From family enterprises and semiconductor pioneers to traditional food, festivals, education, and environmental sustainability, this issue celebrates Penang’s resilience, identity, and capacity for renewal.

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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 swashbuckling municipal president of Penang

5 min read

Civil servant? Soldier? Adventurer? Activist? Surely one could not be all four, and more. But one man indeed was, and left a significant mark on Penang. During...

by Louise Goss-Custard

Giving the people a say – it’s their money after all

5 min read

Sometime in December last year, at a forum on the state and national budget organised by Lee Khai Loon, the state assemblyman for Machang Bubok, I threw out a c...

by Steven Sim

Festivals in Numbers

5 min read

2015 is the Year of Festivals for Malaysia. The tagline, “Endless Celebrations”, showcases Malaysia as a tourist destination with bountiful and diverse cultures and festivities.

by Penang Monthly

Marina Mahathir: Malaysia is My Colour Movie

11 min read

Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir is the keynote speaker at the fifth George Town Literary Festival (GTLF), which takes place on November 27-29 . On a daily basis, Malaysians look out in the news for her most recent comments on issues that interest and bother the country.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Making Words Perform Art

5 min read

At the George Town Literary Festival 2015, meet this group of people who create imagery and music with words.

by Marco Ferrarese

Taking Penang Chinese Cuisine Abroad

6 min read

Leong’s journey with food started at a very young age, when he helped sell hokkien mee in Chowrasta Market in the 1970s. He would get up at 7am to push the stall cart from Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah to the market, and helped to sell until 1pm.

by Jeffrey Hardy Quah

Penang Hill at a Glance

3 min read

Penang Hill is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Penang. Bukit Bendera, or Flagstaff Hill in English, is the most developed peak with an elevation of 735m (2,411ft) above sea level.

by Penang Monthly

Calmness Caught in Epic Colours

7 min read

Syed Thajudeen grew up on both sides of the Bay of Bengal. The stories, the sights and the sounds of the region resonate starkly in his paintings.

by Ooi Kok Chuen

Christmas in the Mountains of Sarawak

3 min read

In the villages of Ba Kelalan in northern Sarawak, Christmas is a time set aside for reflection, and is dedicated to family and community.

by Carolyn Hong

A Hike to the Top via Moongate

5 min read

Every hiker in Penang feels the irresistible urge at some point to climb to the highest point in Penang, and so they embark on one of the many routes leading to the summit of Penang Hill.

by Louise Goss-Custard

Sow Dissent, Harvest Freedom

6 min read

In her writings, Dr Khoo Ying Hooi reminds Malaysians that dissent is not illegal. When it comes to civil disobedience, Dr Khoo is one of the first few names that pop up in the minds of Malaysians.

by Fikri Fisal

In Defence of the Spirit of the Law

7 min read

The case of Azmi Sharom vs the Federal Court is a battle to save a basic right for all Malaysians. But has it been lost already?

by Ooi Kok Hin

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