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.

Everyday India

5 min read

In recent years, news headlines have pictured India as a land of fear, abuse and, in particular, rape. As a lover of the subcontinent and someone who has travelled to 30 of its 36 states and union territories, I beg to disagree.

by Marco Ferrarese & Chan Kit Yeng

Xenophobia Signals Crisis

3 min read

A clear connection seems to exist between an economy’s health, on the one hand, and that society’s handling of religious and ethnic minorities, on the other.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Building Penang, Inspiring Malaysia

39 min read

In honour of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu who passed away in November 2010, Penang Economic Monthly presents in this issue a list of articles on the second chief ministe...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

The Last Parang Maker

3 min read

Uncle Chan, or Api, has worked at his traditional parang workshop in Kuala Selangor since his youth, inheriting the trade from his late father.

by Azri Zainul

Trapped Multiple Times

2 min read

This month’s cover is about Malaysia’s brain drain; and what is fascinating is how old – and yet how current – the story reads.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Faces of Central Asia

5 min read

At the crossroads of China, the Middle East and the former Soviet Empire, Central Asia remains one of the most rugged and adventurous regions of Asia.

by Marco Ferrarese & Chan Kit Yeng

Funeral for a true son of Penang

2 min read

The morning was soft and cloudy – but only for a while. By 10am, the sun was blazing and having its usual relentless way with Penangites. Perhaps as man...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Past Lives

4 min read

We leaves, thinking we don't want to return. When we finally do, we wish we'd never left.

by Yong Yen Nie

The Nomadic Experience

4 min read

Mongolia has proven itself to be one of the most challenging countries to travel in – the long hours of driving on bumpy tracks are a sure test for your backbone. That being said, there can be no other experience like the Mongolian experience.

by Ch’ng Chin Chin

Retaining the Ability to Enjoy Simple Abilities

2 min read

Our machines make us seek more power and more capacity, and in the process we forget to appreciate our most basic skills. So we end up seeking thrills and searching for novel experiences.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Of Yin & Yang, Qi and Immune Systems

3 min read

Do you know that we start rotting as soon as we have breathed our last breath? This is a fascinating reminder that decay is the default situation for the human...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

The importance of being Inspirable

2 min read

It’s always a bit disconcerting when a notion forms in your mind and you cannot find a good word for it. Memory going bad? Mental energy running out? Ba...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

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