ABOUT US


A publication of Penang Institute, Penang Monthly is the voice of Penang and an aspiring read for the curious Malaysian. Publishing articles concerning the well-being and good folks of Penang, we also run interesting national – and occasionally regional – analysis on politics, economy, culture and society.

OUR OBJECTIVES


  • Supply Penangites with information about significant issues in order to promote public participation;
  • Encourage discussion about various aspects of Penang’s fate and fortune;
  • Profile Penang personalities who have contributed, sometimes in very unassuming but critical ways, to the reputation and well-being of the state;
  • Put the spotlight on ordinary Penangites who otherwise go unnoticed, but who nevertheless define the culture of the state in essential ways;
  • Highlight the importance of Penang as a generator of culture, education, industry and cosmopolitan values;
  • Emphasise present trends in the arts, industry, politics and economics which affect the immediate future of the state and country; and
  • Offer reliable socioeconomic data for the benefit of decision makers in government and the private sector.

OUR TEAM


Ooi Kee Beng
Editor
Ooi Kee Beng was born and raised in Penang. Educated at La Salle School (Air Itam) and St Xavier’s Institution, he did his A-levels at Methodist High School. After three years as sub-editor for The Star and The Straits Echo, he left to study, work and live in Sweden. His PhD from Stockholm University is in Sinology, on political philosophy. Prior to his appointment as the Executive Director of Penang Institute, he was the Deputy Director of ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. He is founding-editor of ISEAS Perspective, ISEAS Monitor and ISSUES – Penang Institute’s series of discussion e-briefs, and is a columnist for The Edge Malaysia.
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Julia Tan
Deputy Editor
Julia Tan comes from a background in literature, technical writing and creative writing. She graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia with a degree in English Language and Literature Studies, and Oxford Brookes University with a Masters in Creative Writing. Her passions lie in history, culture and – of course, being a Penangite – good food.
Nic Lee
Art Director
Nic Lee hails from Penang and has lived all his life in Kampung Siam, Pulau Tikus. A former Xaverian, he received his Diploma in Graphic Design at the Malaysian Institute of Art. With a working experience of almost 20 years, the former art director at INTACT's works include numerous annual reports of public-listed companies (Texchem Group, MSC Group) as well as newsletters, magazines (Texview, IPeople News, Essenze) and brochures. He has also worked on many campaigns for Venessa Diamonds and has designed logos for Dreamz Foundation's Rhapsody des Reves charity event in 2004, Slippery Senoritas club, DK Group, BayAvenue, BayStar, BayGarden, The Oasis, Arte @ Kuchai Lama and SERA Putrajaya Precinct 8.
Regina Hoo
Writer
Regina Hoo is a Broadcasting and Journalism major from the University of Wolverhampton.
Noorhasyilah Rosli
Publishing Assistant
Noorhasyilah Rosli is a mass communications graduate from UiTM. She majored in publishing and is fascinated by books.
OGL Consultancy
Business Manager
OGL CONSULTANCY connects dots, people and ideas; provides creative and practical solutions to projects and businesses; listens, thinks, plans, executes and delivers.

JOIN US


Vacancies
There are no vacancies available at the moment.

Internship
Join our internship programme. Send your resume and writing samples to editor@penangmonthly.com.

Article Contribution
Got a story to contribute? Send it to editor@penangmonthly.com.


ABOUT PENANG INSTITUTE


PENANG INSTITUTE is one of Malaysia’s major think tanks. Funded by the Penang state government, it was established in 1997 (as SERI, the Socio-economic and Environmental Research Institute), and underwent a name change in 2011 as part of a rebranding exercise to reflect the heightened ambitions of the state to secure Penang’s reputation as an intellectual hub and as the culture capital of the country, and to enhance Penang’s reputation in ASEAN and beyond.

With the tagline “Making Ideas Work”, Penang Institute encourages bold and innovative thinking – not only in academic disciplines, but also through the support it gives to literature and culture by way of events such as book launches and public literature seminars; through participation in the annual George Town Literary Festival; through its public policy brief, ISSUES; and through its renowned magazine, Penang Monthly, and the Penang Monthly Book Prize.

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