July 2026

Discover Penang’s living heritage in this month’s issue: from the revival of historic clan houses and district associations to new voices in the arts, community, and cultural preservation. Explore how tradition meets modernity as Penang’s diverse communities adapt, innovate, and celebrate their unique identity.

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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 Hill Funicular Railway: 100 Years of Service

3 min read

THESE DAYS, ascending Penang Hill takes mere minutes. All one has to do is purchase a ticket and board the air-conditioned funicular trains serving the hill — a...

by Ooi Tze Xiong

S.T.E.A.M Powered Learning: Nurturing Creative Analysts for the Digital Future

4 min read

THE ARTS STREAM or the Science Stream? That was the fork in the road for many entering Form 4 under the national school curriculum before the year 2020. Even no...

by Samantha Khoo

Penang Hill: A Natural Resource That Shaped The Settlement

9 min read

BESIDE THE HANDSOME George Town Dispensary building on Beach Street is a neat white shop house which today is occupied by an upscale artisanal retail store. On...

by Eugene Quah

Keep Calm and Take the Next Bus

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by Azmi Hussin

The State of Penang's Modes of Transport

1 min read

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by Yeong Pey Jung

Penang’s Semiconductor Industry Continues Excelling

5 min read

Semiconductors, sometimes called the “brains” of electronics, are the mainstay of Penang’s Electrical & Electronics (E&E) sector. Malaysia's E&E sector is expected to contribute RM120 billion to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generate RM495 billion in export earnings by 2025.

by Elizabeth Su

Stunning Paintings of Birds of Malaysia by Choo Beng Teong

3 min read

ORNITHOLOGY IS THE study of birds—and Choo Beng Teong has devoted his career to it by creating anatomically precise paintings, most of which have been showcased...

by Penang Monthly

Peranakan Lanterns: Illuminating The Generations

5 min read

LANTERNS MAY SEEM like merely aesthetic decorations or beloved playthings during the Mid-Autumn Festival; but in fact, they hold much more meaning than that. A...

by Iylia De Silva

Events in October

3 min read

THEATREMyPenang Creative collaborates with Triple I Production House to present Spice & Curry, presented in Tamil and Hindi with subtitles. With performance...

by Penang Monthly

How Not To Get Lost On A Hike and What To Do If You Do

6 min read

“AREN’T YOU SCARED of getting lost in the jungle?” I have lost count of how many times I’ve been asked this question, and I am sure many other hikers would have...

by Rexy Prakash Chacko

Shaping the Future of Learning with Technology

4 min read

AROUND THE WORLD, technology is rewriting the rules of teaching and learning, reshaping classrooms and redefining the studentteacher dynamic. Malaysia stands as...

by Howie Chang

Zulfigar Yasin: A Creator of Marine Parks Who Can't Help Being A Mentor

13 min read

Ooi Kee Beng: Prof. Zul, I wish to talk with you about how and when people excel in life. Your own has been a very interesting one, and you continue working on...

by Penang Monthly

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