September 2026

The September Issue Is Out Now! Penang Monthly’s September issue explores the vibrant world of Penang’s pasar malam, highlighting their food, culture, community, traditions, and evolving role in island life.

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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.

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 local industry, allowing popular music and local talents to flourish.

by Penang Monthly

Taking Penang Studies seriously

2 min read

Like most new countries founded after colonialism’s fall, Malaysia lacks good historical studies about itself that are based on solid empirical data. No doubt, some do exist, but they tend to emerge at certain fixed levels.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Statistics

5 min read

IntroductionLegal aid centres in Malaysia are established to assist people who need legal representatives but cannot afford their costs. In this issue, the St...

by Penang Monthly

Penang – Cultural Capital

2 min read

The Unesco’s decision to put Penang jointly with Malacca on its World Heritage List two years ago signified a few fascinating things.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Macalister Mansion: Contemporary With A Quirky Twist

4 min read

As you enter the driveway of Macalister Mansion, you are greeted by an oversized sculptural bust of Colonel Norman Macalister, the lieutenant-governor of Prince of Wales Isle from 1808 to 1810.

by Sharyljit Kaur

Sharyljit Kaur

Statistics

1 min read

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by Penang Monthly

Human Development Indicators

3 min read

Malaysia’s human development index (HDI) has been rising in steady increments from 2010 till 2012. Life expectancy has risen by 0.5 years, whereas gross...

by Penang Monthly

The Back of The Island

3 min read

Literally meaning “the back of the island”, Balik Pulau lies in the southwestern region of Penang Island. As development projects mount in the state, it remains one of the few places left that has managed to retain its sleepy, rustic charm.

by Ong Ee Lynn

Ong Ee Lynn

Why Indigenous Rights Matter

2 min read

Being proud of where you come from was something unfamiliar to me until I started working with the indigenous rights movement.

by Puah Sze Ning

Tomoi

2 min read

The ancient art of kickboxing, better known as Muay Thai, is popularly practiced in Kelantan. Here, the locals call it Tomoi. After a 15-year ban by the state's...

by Penang Monthly

Deep in The Oil Palm Estates

2 min read

As the world's largest palm oil exporter, much of Malaysian is now covered with this "golden crop". Seen by the government as a lucrative commodity that will br...

by Penang Monthly

Inside THE ZONE

2 min read

The Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone is home to many of the world's leading tech and electrical and electronics (E&E) firms; a beehive of activity, powered...

by Penang Monthly

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