November 2026

Penang Monthly | November 2026 is out now. This month, we journey through Penang’s South Asian links—from the enduring energy of George Town’s Little India to the remarkable restoration of Wadda Gurdwara Sahib. Discover stories of Punjabi cha, Ganesha at the threshold, traditional trades, migration, literature, art and the people keeping living heritage alive across Penang. Because heritage is more than buildings and archives—it is found in the languages we speak, the food we share, the work we do and the memories we carry.

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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 Future in Penang for the Film Industry

5 min read

It was not until 1963, when the television was introduced, that the local film industry truly experienced a shock; and with the introduction of coloured television and VHS in the 1970s, Malaysians realised they no longer needed to frequent the cinemas for movies.

by Izzuddin Ramli

Artists We Lost in 2019

9 min read

Works of art are invested with a certain immortality long after the creator dies. In their honour, what follows are requiems for artists we lost in 2019.

by Ooi Kok Chuen

Time to Reinvest in Chinese Art

5 min read

Chinese ink painting was once a focus of Penang’s Chinese community, especially among groups passionate for Chinese arts and culture, during the 30s and 40s. That was when artists from China still came to Penang, nourishing and inspiring the place.

by Nicole Chang

Are Digital Disruptions Laying the Foundations for Holistic Education in the 21st Century?

6 min read

All of us should sense very clearly by now that the education industry is a ripe fruit that is about to fall in the digital storm that has been blowing around the world since the turn of this century.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Turmoil and Tranquillity Set in Malaysia

4 min read

Tan Twan Eng’s The Garden of Evening Mists entangles protagonists Teoh Yun Ling, the lone survivor of a brutal Japanese wartime camp, and Nakamura Aritomo, an exiled former gardener of the Japanese emperor.

by Regina Hoo

The Creative Industries as Cultural and Economic Catalyst

8 min read

In the normal practice of evaluating education through measurables and eventual market worth, the need to encourage creativity in students is often neglected as it is considered to be a talent that is inert, and not one which can be developed.

by Alexander Fernandez & Lim Sok Swan & Pan Yi Chieh

Azmi Hussin

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by Azmi Hussin

Vision 2020

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by Azmi Hussin

Drivers Behaving Badly

2 min read

What would happen if every car is obliged by law to have a CCTV camera mounted in front of the driver, which immediately beams his face prominently onto an LE...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

More and More New Art Spaces and Events for Penang

6 min read

HAS PENANG WHAT it takes to be a satellite arts hub in Malaysia, once new purpose-built infrastructures are in place?An informal talk Missing Links: Piecing T...

by Ooi Kok Chuen

From Penang to Broadway

6 min read

PENANG-BORN THEATRE actress Chee Kai An plays “Kim Alternate” on the Broadway Revival National Tour of “Miss Saigon” – the musical...

by Melissa Chan

Melissa Chan

Nyonya Dishes: Old, New or “Con”-Fusion?

7 min read

Innovations and modifications made to Nyonya dishes are necessary if the cuisine is to survive; however, only those that are accepted by the community will thrive.

by Dr. Ong Jin Teong

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