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A publication of Penang Institute, Penang Monthly is the voice of Penang and an inspiring read for the curious Malaysian. Publishing articles concerning the well-being and good folks of Penang.

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“The Islander Surge”: Exploring Cultural Uniqueness in Music

4 min read

An island’s cultural traditions and social contexts often render “islanders” with unique yet versatile identities. Hence, they are sometimes described as having...

Pan Yi Chieh

Pursuing the Meaning of Equality and Liberty (With Some AI Assistance)

4 min read

WHETHER WE LIKE to think so or not, modern political thought gained effective sloganic expression during the French Revolution (in 1789), incidentally around th...

A Perfect Hike on Pulau Rimau

5 min read

JUST OFF THE southern tip of Penang Island sits the lush tree-covered isle of Pulau Rimau. Having ticked off all the other large isles around Penang, Pulau Rima...

A Short History of Pulau Rimau

9 min read

WALKING ALONG THE Queen’s Waterfront promenade at Bayan Lepas, you see a large, heavily forested island nearby that once hosted a leper colony and, later, a pri...

Witness Collection: The Struggles that Span the Creation of Astonishing Art

5 min read

THE BLAME GAME often takes off when multiple stakeholders are involved. Let’s look at Penang’s art industry. One time, I wrote about the media’s role in promoti...

AI-Empowered Schools: Happier Teachers, Better Learners?

4 min read

PEOPLE FEAR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) may soon take over our jobs, making our vocations obsolete. Already, AI has made its way into every part of our lives—t...

The Novel World of Penang Ice Creams

4 min read

I HAVE FOND memories of Milo ice cream in cups from childhood—its flavour made complete by the taste of the wooden spatula that came with it. But how did ice cr...

The Botanic Gardens is Our Green Heritage and Green Future

3 min read

“THE WATERFALL GARDEN occupies the lower slopes of a valley leading into the hills, whose forest covered slopes enclose it on all sides. At the head is the wate...

Snapshots of Historical Struggles in Penang

2 min read

WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY is observed every 15 March, a global awareness event birthed in Penang when it became the Headquarters of the World Consumers Movement...

Penang for Everyone—Inclusion Needs Changes in Mindset

8 min read

PENANG IS KNOWN for its old-time charm, even as rising skyscrapers punctuate the expanse of its skies. Its landscape is quickly changing with the introduction o...

Reverse Culture Shock: A Tale of Two Homes, Penang and York

5 min read

“IT’S GOOD THAT you’re back, it’s better to be home,” my grandmother said, as I told her about my time in the UK.Her words came from a place of love, after not...

Tecoma Blossoms Becoming Iconic in Penang

2 min read

COME MARCH OR APRIL, several streets in Penang spring alive with bursts of pink and white Tecoma flowers. These are also colloquially known as the “Penang Sakur...

Priyanka Bansal

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As Penang Monthly continues to evolve, we aim to deliver better quality reads. At present, our three current issues are free for public access. 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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