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.

Joachim Bergström: On Using Universal Values to Drive Diplomacy

12 min read

As his tenure comes to an end, Penang Monthly sits down with Joachim Bergström to talk about his team’s efforts in introducing these universal values to the country, and how these can strengthen the bilateral relationship between Sweden and Malaysia.

by Sheryl Teoh

Families Hard at Work at Pulau Tikus Market

6 min read

PULAU TIKUS MARKET, located along Jalan Pasar between Jalan Cantonment and Solok Moulmein, first opened in the 1950s. The wet…

by Jennifer De Souza

Beyond Borders: A Personal Perspective on Brain Drain

3 min read

GROWING UP IN Penang, my early exposure to Hollywood movies and TV sitcoms painted an idealistic portrait of first-world…

by Cheng Vern Vern

Encouraging Sisterhood in Entrepreneurship in Penang

3 min read

THE PANDEMIC HIT businesses hard. Yet, for one woman, it was an opportune time for her to realise her dream.…

by Joan Liao

From The Ground Up: PDC in Property and Infrastructural Development

4 min read

AT THE HEART of Penang’s transformation as a thriving socio-economic and developmental hub lies the Penang Development Corporation…

by Penang Monthly

Mapping Islamic Education in Penang

5 min read

THE ROOTS OF Islamic education in Malaysia date back to the 13th century, with the arrival of Islam through trade…

by Muhammad Amirul Naim Rosmi

Financial Literacy: A Missing Link in Education

3 min read

I GREW UP in Sungai Petani, Kedah, son to a lumberjack and a housewife who successfully raised four children. My…

by Lau Kong Chyuan

Normalising Period Talks—For All Our Sakes

4 min read

MENSTRUATION CONTINUES TO be an uncomfortable topic of discussion today, especially in relatively conservative parts of the world. Akin to…

by Valerie Wirinhar

Regaining the Right to Enjoy Education

3 min read

Malaysia’s education system faces a dual challenge: the issue of school dropouts on the one hand, and an overly exam-oriented mindset among students on the other. These two phenomena, though seemingly distinct, stem from the same cause: an education system that places undue emphasis on examinations.

by Dr. Beh May Ting

Penang's Evolving Schooling Preferences

1 min read

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by Philip Khor

How SXI Keeps Enrolment High

5 min read

THE ENROLMENT RATE among Penang’s public high schools is declining,[1] but not in St. Xavier’s Institution (SXI)…

by Justin Teoh

Addressing PISA Disparities to Propel Penang’s Semiconductor Industry

5 min read

WITH THE SWIFT beauty of mother earth. evolution in communication technology, it becomes increasingly crucial for a country like Malaysia…

by Dr. Rahida Aini

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