December 2025

Our December issue examines the flavours, practices and foodways that define Malaysian life, from home kitchens and inherited techniques to the diverse cultural influences that shape Penang’s palate.

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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.

Thriving Businesses That Rely on Upgrading Knowledge and Skills

5 min read

Penang is a city of small businesses, and whatever living heritage George Town continues to exude relies heavily on craftsmen offering a surprising range of ser...

by Morana Lefilliatre

Penang’s Key Economic Indicators

2 min read

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

by Azmil Akil

Azmil Akil

Vocational Studies Can Revive Traditional Trades and Heritage Gems

5 min read

MALAYSIAN FAMILIES are typically accustomed to thinking that vocational studies are designed for students who do not excel in a classroom setting – or at least...

by Bernard Loke

Is TVET Not the Obvious Key to a Vibrant Economy?

10 min read

IF THERE IS an issue pertaining to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), it is the bad reputation garnered among urbanite parents. “It is abou...

by Dr. Rahida Aini

What’s It Like To Be a VFX Artist, 3D-Generalist, Multimedia Designer, Videographer and Video Creator?

6 min read

ONE THING I have always loved doing is creating. Growing up in Alor Setar, my Penang staycation trips every weekend were something I looked forward to as a chil...

by Izzat Danial

Izzat Danial

Migrant Workers Face an Ever More Challenging Present, and an Ever More Uncertain Future

8 min read

THE MONTH OF May witnessed a string of raids targeting migrant workers in specific areas around KL. The actions took place, almost in catch-up mode, to ring-fen...

by Braema Mathi

Braema Mathi

Covid-19 in Numbers

4 min read

WITHIN ASEAN, the top six countries for confirmed Covid-19 cases are Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei. Compared to the other...

by Penang Monthly

Getting Back on Our Feet, and with Back Held Straight

11 min read

DISASTERS – natural or manmade – tend to affect a limited geographical area.A typhoon cutting across the Philippines, like Typhoon Vongfong in May...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

EVENTS IN OCTOBER

3 min read

THEATREThe 1950s was an era when men were the head of the family and women must honour their decisions, support them and raise their children. Lim's Grand Court...

by Penang Monthly

Enhancing Media and Information Literacy: From TechCamp to UNESCO

5 min read

MELINDA QUIÑONES FROM the Philippines and Wong Lai Cheng from Malaysia were strangers when they participated in TechCamp Malaysia 2020, the first online Te...

by Melinda Quiñones.

Social Publishing: An Alternative Model for Aspiring Authors

4 min read

A LITERATE and learned society relies on a supply of active local authors, a dynamic publishing sector and a strong culture of readership, all of which Malaysia...

by Wong Teik Aun

The Many Shades of Deepavali, the Festival of Lights

5 min read

NOT MANY OUTSIDE the ethnic group is aware of the heterogeneity of Indian communities in Penang. The truth is, the different Indian communities here weave a ric...

by Preveena Balakrishnan

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As Penang Monthly continues to evolve, we aim to deliver better quality reads. At present, our issues are free to be read. But we need your financial support as we endeavour to be the voice of Penang and an inspiring read for the curious Malaysian. Every RM100 contribution from individuals (or RM1,000 for corporations) will be entitled to tax exemption receipt.

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