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.

The Mighty Chang Variations of The Chinese Wrapped Glutinous Rice Dumpling

7 min read

From Chinese zongzi to Nyonya chang and Malay ketupat palas, leaf-wrapped rice dumplings reflect centuries of migration, adaptation and culinary creativity. This exploration traces their global roots, regional variations and the innovations keeping these festive traditions alive today.

by Dr. Ong Jin Teong

Tiger Hill: Exploring One of Penang’s Tallest Peaks

6 min read

The view of Air Itam and George Town as seen from the first part of the hike.

by Rexy Prakash Chacko

Urut Urut: A Care Partnering Journey

6 min read

Urut-urut explores dementia care through intimate recordings of everyday life by care partners in Penang. Through touch, routine and reflection, the project reveals care not as a fixed role, but as an ongoing relationship shaped by patience, memory and emotional endurance.

by Business

Business

Diversity In Education: The Prominence of Penang's Heritage Private Schools

6 min read

PENANG’S EDUCATION ECOSYSTEM is a highly interesting, diverse and colourful one. It is well known, no doubt, that Penang…

by Carolyn Khor

Penang Hill Festival 2026 Highlighting Natural And Cultural Heritage

4 min read

ON 17–19 JULY, Penang Hill once again welcomes the world to the Penang Hill Festival (PHF). Organised by Penang…

by Business

Business

The Human Legacy Behind Penang's Heritage Brands

9 min read

Behind Penang’s heritage brands lies more than longevity alone, but a continual act of inheritance, adaptation and trust. From family-run eateries to old trading houses, their survival reflects how identity is preserved not through resisting change, but through refining it without losing coherence.

by Tony Yeoh

Sustainability Is Good, But Not Enough; Let’s Aim For Satisfiability

3 min read

This article highlights the paradox of sustainable development: while necessary, unchecked global “development” risks ecological collapse. Ooi Kee Beng argues this calls for a deeper shift beyond sustainability towards “satisfiability,” focusing on sufficiency, ethics, and collective well-being.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Merapoh: A Glimpse Into Malaysia's Ecotourism Future

5 min read

At the quiet edge of Pahang, Merapoh opens into one of the world’s oldest rainforests, where biodiversity, community and conservation converge. Here, ecotourism unfolds gently—less spectacle than possibility—offering Malaysia a rare blueprint for a more deliberate, living future.

by Peter Ong

Greening Penang’s Hotels: Wishful Thinking or Achievable Target?

6 min read

BY 2030, the Penang state government envisions an ambitious target of 80% of local hotels adopting green practices.[1] Tourism…

by Assif Shamim & Renuka Radakrishnan

Renuka Radakrishnan

Design For Strength: From Built Structures To Resilient Living Systems

5 min read

IN OCTOBER, the Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) Northern Chapter convened the World Architecture Day Symposium 2025 at the Penang Waterfront…

by Nicole Chang

Pursing A Nomadic Artisanal Life At Haloo House

6 min read

…

by Pan Yi Chieh

A Tale of Tourism In Two States: Sustainability Approaches For Penang And Sarawak

5 min read

ON 30 MARCH, the International Day of Zero Waste, the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme and UN Tourism launched the…

by Elizabeth Su

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