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.

A Look Inside Penang Free School

5 min read

Penang Free School (PFS) was founded on October 21, 1816 by a committee headed by Reverend Robert Sparke Hutchings. The school was open to all children regardless of race or religion, hence the name “Free School”.

by Ridhuan Abu Bakar

New Modes of Learning for a New Century

3 min read

The essence of a nation-building or state-building model is best perceived through its education policies. This is after all the key area within which the government strategises its own survival.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

The Hills ‘r’ Us

3 min read

Natural resources are always good to have. If rightly used, they are the basis not only for an economy’s path of growth, but also for its international identity.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

PARK(ing) Day: A Recap

4 min read

Every year in September, cities across the world celebrate PARK(ing) Day, and it landed in Malaysia for the first time ever in George Town on September 19.

by Tan Lii Inn

Literary Festivals – More Momentous Than You May Imagine

3 min read

Now when Penang is holding its George Town Literary Festival again, let me ponder over what I think is one of the most important things that have failed to develop properly in post-colonial Malaysia, namely our mastery of language.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Being part of history being made

6 min read

Bersih 4 was undeniably the biggest street protest that Malaysia has ever seen. Held over 34 hours from August 29-30, it saw no let-up in the numbers that showe...

by Kee Thuan Chye

Dreaming in Malaysia

2 min read

Migrant workers in Malaysia come from more than 12 Asian countries, with the majority from Indonesia. Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Tha...

by Chris Jung

Penang as entry point for visitors to Malaysia

3 min read

Tourism has been vital to Penang for decades, but a competent history of it has yet to be written to give due credit to the key actors involved, to describe t...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Speaking of Pulau Tikus...

3 min read

Pulau Tikus. The name always sounded exotic to the ears of a boy growing up in the general area of Ayer Itam (yes, not Air Itam), Reservoir Gardens and Rifle...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

The Temuan of Ulu Yam

3 min read

Deep in Ulu Yam, Selangor, near the Sungai Liam waterfall and a 30-minute drive from KL, a tribe of Temuans are moving house. The area floods, and they need a better place to stay, high above the water level.

by Chris Jung

The UAE passes an anti-discriminatory law worth importing

3 min read

I was in Abu Dhabi recently for the first time. The UAE is a strange land; its citizens make up only 15% of the whole population. The rest are foreigners of o...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Statistics

1 min read

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by Penang Monthly

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