The Haj Pilgrimage
2 min read
The pilgrimage is the fifth pillar of Islam, and it is the duty of every able-bodied Muslim to perform it at least once in their lifetimes during Eid al-Adha.
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.
Welcoming the Year of the Tiger
2 min read
It was Chinese New Year once again, and with it the traditions that so many of us are familiar with. The days leading up to the festivities, however, involved a great deal of hard work and attention to detail.
Merdeka and Malaysia Day
1 min read
Most countries around the world celebrate a single national day, but in Malaysia there are two anniversaries which are commemorated. Merdeka Day on August 31 ce...
Penang economic monthly
1 min read
The Penang Economic Monthly, a think tank magazine that has been around for 11 years, has been overhauled and commercialised. This endeavour is in response to t...
This is Pengerang
3 min read
A quaint collection of towns and villages at the south-eastern tip of the peninsula, the remote, largely agricultural and fishery-based Pengerang is a thriving enclave, the sustaining centuries-old traditions of the local Malays and Chinese.
Yesterday, today and tomorrow: Weld Quay
3 min read
Penang is rife with rich history. One such relic of the past is Weld Quay, a trading port once used by the British.
Rehabilitating social values
2 min read
Penang is home to many discussions and debates. A recent conference examines the perspectives behind social democracy and what it could mean for Malaysian politics.
Vintage Whites
1 min read
Once central to Penang's administration and economy, these white colonial-era buildings now blend into the background, yet their historical significance remains a lasting legacy in George Town.
Bungalows of Penang Hill
1 min read
The bungalows atop Penang Hill are as integral to the hill as the funicular railway or the cool climate. The first residence on top of the hill was established...
Penang’s Waterfronts
4 min read
Penang’s history has always been linked to the sea; her earliest urban development was as a sea-trading port city. Colonial sections of George Town have t...
Pesta Pulau Pinang
2 min read
Every year, thousands of people flock to the Pesta site, drawn there by the bright lights, thrilling shows and good bargains at the Pesta Pulau Pinang. Penang S...
Penang’s Forgotten Scene
6 min read
Penang’s always had a vibrant music scene, none more so in the 1940s and 1950s. The introduction of cinema and radio led to an unprecedented boom in the l...
Explore column