February 2026

Our latest issue explores how third places—from bookstores and gardens to KOMTAR—shape community life in Penang, while reflecting on sustainability, inclusion, and the island’s rich history.

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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 Bookstores Provide Precious Space for Culture and Companionship

4 min read

Across Penang, these reading spaces differ in scale, philosophy and operation. Yet, all share a commitment to something increasingly rare—a space to be.

by Aqilla Latif

Third Places, Tropical Rules: How The People of Penang Gather

7 min read

The question today is not just where we gather, but how the rise of air-conditioning, gentrification and ageing society is reshaping the “Penang shophouse” spirit into new, sometimes unrecognisable forms.

by Eugene Quah

Is AI the Next Stage in Human Enlightenment or a Return to Some Dark Age?

2 min read

With the invention and re-invention of printing—first in China, and then in the West—universal literacy, though not achieved even today, became a long-term possibility.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

AI in Cybersecurity: Is It a Blessing or a Curse?

9 min read

The big question, “Is AI in cybersecurity a blessing or a curse?” does not have a simple answer. Like most technologies that fundamentally reshape human behaviour, AI brings transformative benefits, while also creating new areas of risk.

by Howie Chang

Traces of Being: Keshiki and Process in Mina Katsuki’s Tomoe

4 min read

In her exhibition Tomoe, Mina Katsuki lets the layers of her paintings sit in plain sight.

by Tan Shu Min

Preparing the Young for an AI-Driven Future

4 min read

If education is meant to equip students for the realities of today and the uncertainties of tomorrow, we must rethink what it means to be literate, capable and future-ready in the age of AI.

by Wong Lai Cheng

The Growth of Artificial Intelligence

1 min read

The growth of artificial intelligence (AI) is driven by a diverse ecosystem of players, from full-stack platforms and industry-specified vendors to open-source innovators and cloud-native providers.

by Ong Siou Woon & Hajar Ariff

The Financial Revolution That Is Upon Us: Tokenising Currencies with Stablecoins and CBDCs

6 min read

Stablecoins have become a vital asset to hedge against inflation in volatile economies. A survey revealed that 47% of participants in developing countries like Brazil, Turkey and Indonesia, use stablecoins for personal savings and cross-border remittances.

by Kenneth Ong

Highs and Lows in Penang's Urban Development

5 min read

Two major landmarks have sprouted up on Penang Island in the last quarter of 2025—the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC) and the Lin Xiang Xiong Art Gallery.

by Ian McIntyre

Four Penang Stories of Teachers and Parents Who Build Rather Than Blame

5 min read

While many children are “farmed” out to schools, tuition centres, iPads and smartphones, there are still those who believe in showing up. We examine four distinct narratives, beginning with a Penang teacher, who once found his classroom in the homes of strangers.

by Agnes Chin

Some Initial Lessons Learned when Training Large Language Models

2 min read

AI training aims at feeding, tuning and perfecting the content in LLMs. Behind facilitating “human thinking” is a great deal of labour-intensive work by many AI trainers.

by Dr. Tan Lee Ooi

Biting the Bullet: Globalisation Slowdown as a Necessary Stage in Global Decolonisation

7 min read

Today the Greater Bay Area (GBA) is the world’s most dynamic economic district, and it has been recognised as the most innovative region in the world, ahead of the Greater Tokyo Area, and then US’ Silicon Valley.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

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