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!
Pulau Pinang and Its Malay Beginnings
10 min read
THE ORIGINAL COMMUNITY in Pulau Pinang was indigenous or Malay-Muslim, similar to the case in any state or region on…
Penang Malays: The Founders of Modern Sepak Takraw
7 min read
IN 2018, as I watched the Sepak Takraw League (STL) final between the Penang Black Panthers and the ATM Guardians…
Malay Houses in Penang: Circa 1900
3 min read
*Images from Marcus Langdon Collection.
MALAYS IN PENANG traditionally lived inland or along the coast, depending on their livelihoods. This…
Francis Light School and The Dawn of Merdeka
11 min read
AT THE EASTERN end of Northam Road (now Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah), within the weathered walls of the Old Protestant…
What's in a Name?: The Many Lives of Penang's Roads
4 min read
FOR ANY VISITOR, George Town’s colonial footprint is easily evident in the names of roads, named after European administrators,…
The Malay Heritage Trail: A Journey of Personal Discovery
5 min read
MY JOURNEY BEGAN on sundrenched Acheen Street, not as a tourist, but as a participant in the Malay Heritage Trail…
Championing ASEAN Economic Integration Under Malaysia's Chairmanship
5 min read
PENANG KICKED OFF 2025 with a bang, hosting the launch of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)—Business Advisory…
Penang Monthly Goes Braille
4 min read
A NEW CHAPTER in community engagement unfolded at the recently concluded George Town Literary Festival (GTLF). On that day, a…
Ahmad Nawab: A Dominant Force in Malaysia's World of Music
8 min read
PENANG-BORN AHMAD NAWAB was a towering figure in Malaysian music. Born on 6 April 1933, Ahmad was the first child…
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Mass Surveillance: Who Watches The Watchers?
3 min read
THE NUMBER OF closed-circuit television (CCTV) units installed by local authorities for public area surveillance has, in recent times, increased…
Civilian Memories of WW II
8 min read
Author’s Note: This article has been edited for clarity and readability. It is based on interview sessions with Uncle…
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