May 2026

Discover Penang Monthly’s May issue: explore inclusive, sustainable tourism, cycling adventures in Southeast Asia, inspiring local profiles, and community-driven initiatives. Dive into stories that celebrate Penang’s culture, resilience, and vibrant future!

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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.

From The High Tower To The Humble Truck Ilham Gallery’s Decade of Institutional Innovation, 2015—2025

5 min read

Over the past decade, ILHAM Gallery has redefined the Malaysian art museum through research-led curating, historical recovery and experimental outreach. Balancing private support with public purpose, it has become a civic space where art is not only displayed, but critically engaged and shared.

by Ivan Gabriel

Where Are You From? Letter by Laila Fanebust

2 min read

Laila Fanebust reflects on being repeatedly asked “Where are you from?” in George Town, exploring identity, belonging, and how she is perceived as an outsider. Through her time in Penang and the George Town Literary Festival, she considers how place and difference shape everyday interactions.

by Laila Fanebust

Laila Fanebust

Fish Ladders: Helping Fish Cross Human-Made Barriers

4 min read

As dams reshape Malaysia’s rivers, fish ladders emerge as quiet interventions—restoring pathways long severed. Balancing infrastructure with ecology, they offer a measured way forward, where development need not come at the expense of life moving beneath the surface.

by Dr. Chee Su Yin

Sustainable Tourism In Numbers

4 min read

Penang’s tourism rebound is powering economic growth, from surging visitor numbers to RM1.91bil in MICE impact—but it also strains liveability in key hotspots. As sustainability efforts expand, the challenge is clear: can growth, community well-being and environmental care truly align?

by Hajar Ariff

Beyond Numbers, Towards Meaning: Shifting To Developmental Tourism For Penang

5 min read

DRIVING ALONG THE old town’s narrow arteries, one quickly encounters the layered rhythms—and the resulting challenges—of George…

by Dr. Beh May Ting

ZANG TOI: The Malaysian Who Dresses The Global Elite

9 min read

From Kelantan to New York, Zang Toi’s journey traces a couture legacy shaped by memory, ambition and reinvention. Decades on, his designs remain a dialogue between worlds—where Malaysian heritage quietly endures beneath the brilliance of the global runway.

by Rachel Yeoh

Staying Sane By Acknowledging Our Rural Soul

3 min read

IN THE ENGLISH language, a “hamlet” or “colony” connotes a place of untainted being. Nature is close by, human warmth…

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

The Story of Northam Road Merchants, Millionaires And Their Mansions

11 min read

A heritage walk along Northam Road reveals more than scenic charm—it traces Penang’s layered past, from colonial ambition to elite enclaves. Once “Millionaires’ Row”, its evolving landmarks show how memory, power and place continue to shape the city.

by Eugene Quah

On The Uncertainty of Being Dua Darah Explore Mixed-Race Identity

5 min read

Dua Darah explores identity beyond rigid racial categories, following a Malay-Chinese Muslim navigating faith, memory and duty. Intimate and layered, it opens space for difficult conversations on belonging in Malaysia.

by Yee Heng Yeh

PLLACE: Bridging Heritage And Innovation For Penang’s Creative Growth

6 min read

WHAT IF A heritage city can innovate boldly without losing its cultural soul? What if research does not sit on…

by Pan Yi Chieh & Dr. Lai Wan Teng

What Changed In 1996? A Personal History Of Kulim And Permatang Pauh

4 min read

Driving along the Butterworth–Kulim Expressway reveals two diverging paths: Kulim’s rise from jungle outpost to high-tech hub, and Permatang Pauh’s evolution from paddy fields into a vibrant university town—each shaped by the ambitions of the 1990s, yet closely intertwined in memory and change.

by Nurul Natasha Amir

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