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.

The Birthday Party – Pinter’s play about power remains relevant

6 min read

Fifty-seven years ago, in late May of 1958, the play The Birthday Party closed after only eight performances of its London debut. It was, of course, a commercial disaster. Worse, it was a critical disaster for its playwright, Harold Pinter.

by Kee Thuan Chye

An Air Ferry for Penang

6 min read

With two bridges linking Penang’s island and mainland, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng now looks towards an aerial connection to stitch more tightly the state’s two halves together.

by Andrea Filmer

Building Batu Kawan Brick by Brick

10 min read

The vast and vacant territory of Batu Kawan – formerly a backwater – is now buzzing with activity and anticipation. It lies at the start of the Second Penang Bridge which opened just over a year ago.

by Andrea Filmer

Bukit Mertajam Offers Some Rare Authenticity

6 min read

Bukit Mertajam might be well off the tourist map, but it has much more to offer than what its reputation as George Town’s satellite suggests. We take a walk to the town’s centre and meet its protagonists.

by Marco Ferrarese & Chan Kit Yeng

Butterworth Beckons: A Bright Future Awaits East Penang

13 min read

It lies just 3km across the North Channel from George Town, but for most island side Penangites, Butterworth is a world away.

by Andrea Filmer

Renminbi Rising – Slowly But Steadily

8 min read

On the one hand, the use of RMB has expanded by leaps and bounds in trade settlement in offshore financial centres with the support of the Peoples’ Bank of China, while discussions in China are still addressing the basic issue: can the internationalisation of the RMB be expected to benefit China?

by Herbert Poenisch

Herbert Poenisch

Penang on the Verge of a Revolution in Waste Management

7 min read

Applying bacteria technology to recycle waste, a Penang company is turning our mounting throwaways into liquid fertilisers, reducing the need for landfills.

by Angela Tritto

Increasing Drug Reliability through Collective Action

6 min read

With hundreds of trials done in each medical area, the results can be confusing or even contradictory. What can be done? Enter the Cochrane review.

by Ch’ng Chin Chin

Keeping the Orphans Safe

5 min read

Situated along Penang’s Jalan Scotland, the Ramakrishna Ashrama has come a long way since it was founded in 1938. This orphanage survived World War II and the Japanese Occupation of Malaya.

by Emilia Ismail

The History of Bukit Mertajam Part I – From Agrarian Village to Economic Hub

6 min read

In Part I of this two-part series, we shall see how Bukit Mertajam grew to become a population, economic and transport hub by the early 20th century.

by Nicholas Chan

A Show of Images Small, Succinct and Sensational

5 min read

Diversity is perhaps best noticed and accepted when artistic and cultural expressions are clearly framed and starkly expressed. By encouraging small and mobile paintings, inspiration gets democratised.

by Ooi Kok Chuen

Where There’s A Will, There Can Be Light

4 min read

The very small village of Long Rusu in Sarawak, population 20, is supplied with hydroelectricity, thanks to a spirit of gotong-royong.

by Carolyn Hong

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