November 2025

This November, Penang Monthly explores language, place and memory. As GTLF returns, we highlight Penang’s multilingual streets and the dialects that keep local history alive.

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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.

Penang’s Aquaculture Sector Does Swimmingly Well

6 min read

The highly profitable aquaculture industry not only nets in millions of ringgit, it also creates employment and business opportunities for Penang’s population.

by Negin Vaghefi

Preparing for Industry 4.0

5 min read

What is Industry 4.0? At a very high level, it is about the integration of cyber-physical systems (CPS) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to enhance the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of production processes. It is the pursuit of “smart factory” capabilities.

by Stuart Lim

Stuart Lim

Embracing A.I.

9 min read

According to the World Bank, Malaysia’s economic growth will continue at a moderate pace over the next two years. This goes together with the bank’s expectation of lower capital expenditure growth in Malaysia.

by Timothy Choy & Ng Peng Zui & Tim Niklas Schoepp

Timothy Choy Ng Peng Zui

Painting for Peace

7 min read

During end November-early December 2017, Myanmar’s International Watercolor Society (IWS) set about a trial run for its 2019 fully international programme of a global watercolour phenomenon which saw the biggest gathering of artists practising watercolour in the name of peace and art.

by Ooi Kok Chuen

Capturing Vanishing Worlds

5 min read

Jimmy Nelson’s job is no walk in the park: constantly gallivanting in jungle thickets around the world, he leaves his family of four in Amsterdam, where they reside, and spends up to nine months every year in search of forlorn cultures.

by Marco Ferrarese

A Short and Splendid Hike

5 min read

Located just opposite the soaring peaks of the greater Penang Hill range, Bukit Hijau sits on a lesser ridge that runs between the residential township of Island Park and Bukit Jambul, rising up to its highest point at the 418m Bukit Kukus peak, just behind Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

by Rexy Prakash Chacko

Magic in the Malay World

5 min read

The difference between divination and the divine is a fine one. South-East Asia is a region with strong beliefs in the spirit world, blending modern rationality and traditional knowledge.

by Izzuddin Ramli

Let Them Not Crumble

12 min read

Seberang Perai’s decaying mansions symbolise the beauty of a glorious, bygone era. Who were the owners, and why were they built in remote places?

by Dr. Wong Yee Tuan & Koay Su-Lyn

Bringing Japanese Technological Excellence to Penang’s Young

3 min read

The Disted Japanese Transfer Programme (JTP) is the first degree-seeking programme of its kind in Malaysia which provides a fast-track study path for students who are keen to pursue a world-recognised Japanese education in engineering and science.

by Regina Hoo

Penang Monthly Book Prize is Launched

4 min read

Seeing Penang as a Culture City as much as a Unesco heritage site and electronic hub, Penang Monthly decided to pronounce that fact by initiating a book prize.

by Regina Hoo

Agents of Change: Chong Eng

4 min read

Penang Institute’s dialogue session with policymakers and influencers saw a stimulating discussion with state exco member Chong Eng, who is chairman of the state’s Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee as well.

by Penang Monthly

Tourist Arrivals and Hotel Occupancy in Penang

3 min read

Penang’s total number of hotel guests has steadily hovered at around six million since 2008, except in 2013. As can be seen from Figure 1, nearly half of...

by Ng Kar Yong

Ng Kar Yong

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