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.

Kebebe: Not Your Average Fruit Salad

7 min read

Kebebe is a culinary heritage of the Malay-Pattani communities of Lenggong, Hulu Perak, and is believed to have existed for over a century. To trace its roots, I spoke with a local historian, Mohd Razali Ahmad, fondly known as Pak Su.

by Ong Ke Shin

The Bougainvillea’s Odyssey: A Tale of Science and Romance Across the Seas

7 min read

The bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) is a common ornamental shrub found throughout Malaysia. Though native to the Americas, it has taken root across the tropics, including in every state in Malaysia, thanks to its hardy nature.

by Eugene Quah

The Making of the Malay Cuisine

8 min read

I am a Malay from Balik Pulau. We are sometimes assumed to be the same as the Malays of Tanjong (George Town), the Jawi Peranakans or the Indian Muslims. In truth, our identities differ; this is no more evident than in what we eat.

by Muhammad Amirul Naim Rosmi

Reading the Signs: Penang Streets Have A Lot to Say

8 min read

Multilingualism here is banal, part of the fabric that holds daily life together. As Higgins and Coen remind us in Streets, Bedrooms and Patios, “as homo sapiens, we are all the same in terms of genetic structure and cognitive potentiality…

by Tan Shu Min

GTLF: One of Penang Institute's Two Annual Flagship Events

3 min read

Picnics are such optimistic events, come to think of it. A paradise for the multitasker, a dream for those in the family who love to keep connections alive, a time to touch base. Much can go wrong at picnics, no doubt, but they hold so much promise.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

On Relationality and Geography: An Interview with Madeleine Thien

5 min read

In anticipation of Madeleine’s appearance at the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF), she talks about her new novel, the writing process and her identity.

by William Tham

Nira Nipah: The Sweet Sap of Penang

4 min read

Coastal dwellers across Southeast Asia—especially those living in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia—have, for centuries, tapped the stem of the nipah flower to collect its sap, known as nira.

by Liani MK

Potehi Evolves in Southeast Asia: In Penang, it’s Fate is in Good Hands

5 min read

In Penang, Potehi thrived in the late 1940s and well into the 60s and 70s. Unfortunately, Potehi lost its popularity to television and film by the 80s. Today, there are only four troupes left, with a majority of the members aged 60 and above.

by Lim Wan Phing

Stories on the Street: GTLF 2024

5 min read

GTLF 2024’s programme were tightly packed into three full days. There were panel discussions, interviews, exhibitions, book readings, movie screenings and more, all spread across a whopping 10 different locations in the heart of George Town.

by Teioh Nuan Ning

Living in Still Life: Reflections on Tan Chiang Kiong’s Odyssey

4 min read

Penang’s Soka Gakkai Centre is a fitting site for Tan Chiang Kiong’s exhibition. The venue now houses 168 of his works, turning the space into both gallery and archive.

by Tan Shu Min

George Town Festival 2025: Still Mesmerising After All These Years

7 min read

This year’s GTF theme was “Connection”, and the events were curated to explore that interplay between artistic expression and human experience, inviting both local and international visitors to engage with a diverse range of performances and exhibitions.

by Eric Yeoh

Dialects: Where Nuanced Thoughts Strive to Survive

4 min read

A tiny shift in stress transforms the meaning of the whole sentence. To me, this captures what Kelantanese dialect really is—not just vocabulary or accent, but a rhythm of thought and feeling that lives in tones and cadences.

by Izzuddin Ramli

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