June 2026

Discover Penang Monthly’s June issue: explore the stories behind Penang’s enduring heritage brands, the richness of its multilingual and multicultural heritage, innovative local businesses, community-led initiatives, and the challenges shaping the state’s future. From family enterprises and semiconductor pioneers to traditional food, festivals, education, and environmental sustainability, this issue celebrates Penang’s resilience, identity, and capacity for renewal.

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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.

The PSDC-VAT Global Supplier Programme: Further Empowering Penang's Local SMEs

5 min read

The Global Supplier Programme, originally launched in the late 1990s by the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), has returned as a collaborative effort between PSDC and VAT Group.

by Carolyn Khor

A Penangite's Scientific Voyage to Antarctica

10 min read

Zulfigar Yasin is one of the nation’s most illustrious marine biologists and marine environment ecologists.

by Prof. Dato' Dr. Zulfigar Yasin

A Maestro Comes Home

4 min read

When Soprano Loh Siew Tuan first began singing in a Methodist church choir as a child, little did she imagine that it would someday lead her to perform at London’s Wigmore Hall.

by Lim Wan Phing

Pierre Bismuth Explores Penang's Cultural Depths

5 min read

Renowned French visual artist and filmmaker Pierre Bismuth has a career spanning decades. His impressive list of accolades includes an Academy Award for his work on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

by Julia Tan

Silat Pulut: An Essential Malay Martial Art and Performance

4 min read

Silat in the Malay language refers to martial arts, similar to how Wushu means martial techniques in Chinese.

by Muhammad Amirul Naim Rosmi

Penang's Magazines Preserve The Past and Shape the Future

8 min read

In early 1989, Ganesh Kolandaveloo, a Form 5 student at St. Xavier’s Institution, would visit his grand-uncle’s newsstand on Prangin Road after school.

by Eugene Quah

Heritage Tracking In The Past Decade: The Case of Lebuh Chulia

3 min read

Lebuh Chulia is one of the earliest roads to be built in Penang, constructed shortly after the city was founded in 1786. The street has a diverse cultural heritage, reflecting the influence of the Indian Muslim and Chinese communities.

by Firdaous Bouhassoun

Endorsing Wanderlust: Travel to Live, Travel to Learn

10 min read

A BABY SHOULD cry at birth. It must be traumatic being born, after all. The compressing comfort of the womb…

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

The Art of Getting Creative and Staying Creative

3 min read

I HAVE AN iPhone 15 Plus Max. It is equipped with the best phone camera in the world and I…

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Modern Choices for Modern Adult Travellers

6 min read

EXPERIENCING NEW CULTURES, discovering fresh perspectives and finding escape—the allure of travel is undeniable. But there remains a divide…

by Samantha Khoo

Lily Cat: The Global Diplomat

4 min read

I WAS BORN in Manhattan, New York, so I am used to island life, though I must admit that living…

by Lily Cat & Neil Khor

Penang Hill and Penang National Park: Lungs of the Island

3 min read

PENANG HILL AND Penang National Park are more than just natural havens; they are the beating heart of Penang’s…

by Vikneswaran Nair & Rami Isaac & Erdinç Çakmak

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