October 2025

This October, Penang Monthly explores death rituals across Malaysia. From Muslim burials to Taoist and Hindu traditions, we reflect on how communities honour the departed with dignity.

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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.

IKEA Batu Kawan: Responding to Local Tastes and Global Values

4 min read

IKEA Batu Kawan first opened its doors on 14 March 2019. Since then, it has remained committed to sustainability and making a positive impact in the community, especially with its eco-friendly and waste reduction practices.

by Carolyn Khor

Artisanal Candle Makers: Bringing Calm Into Malaysian Homes

2 min read

There is something undeniably enchanting about the simple act of lighting a scented candle. Whether it is the first thing we do in the morning to ease into the day or a ritual to mark the end of a long, exhausting day, candles have a way of making a space feel more homey and cozy.

by Emily Goh

Hong Leong Bank Light Street: A Branch That Redefines the Banking Experience

3 min read

Three months ago, Hong Leong Bank (HLB), one of Malaysia’s most established financial institutions with a 120-year heritage, proudly unveiled its HLB Light Street Branch in the heart of George Town, Penang.

by Penang Monthly

US-China Tensions & the Transformation of Penang's Tech Industry

5 min read

Tiny semiconductors are the hidden engines in today’s tech marvels, from artificial intelligence (AI) to electric cars. The semiconductor industry continues to cram an increasing number of elements onto integrated circuits.

by Philip Khor

PDC's Empowerment of GBS and SMEs

4 min read

Malaysia’s economy is significantly propelled by the contributions of Global Business Services (GBS) and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

by Penang Monthly

Penang's Manufacturing Future: A Balancing Act Between Growth and Talent

5 min read

The evolving global trade landscape presents numerous opportunities for Malaysia to capitalise on. Penang, with its robust electrical and electronics (E&E) supply chain, is particularly well-positioned to attract multinational corporations and local businesses.

by Ong Wooi Leng

The PSDC-VAT Global Supplier Programme: Further Empowering Penang's Local SMEs

5 min read

The Global Supplier Programme, originally launched in the late 1990s by the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), has returned as a collaborative effort between PSDC and VAT Group.

by Carolyn Khor

A Penangite's Scientific Voyage to Antarctica

10 min read

Zulfigar Yasin is one of the nation’s most illustrious marine biologists and marine environment ecologists.

by Prof. Dato' Dr. Zulfigar Yasin

A Maestro Comes Home

4 min read

When Soprano Loh Siew Tuan first began singing in a Methodist church choir as a child, little did she imagine that it would someday lead her to perform at London’s Wigmore Hall.

by Lim Wan Phing

Pierre Bismuth Explores Penang's Cultural Depths

5 min read

Renowned French visual artist and filmmaker Pierre Bismuth has a career spanning decades. His impressive list of accolades includes an Academy Award for his work on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

by Julia Tan

Silat Pulut: An Essential Malay Martial Art and Performance

4 min read

Silat in the Malay language refers to martial arts, similar to how Wushu means martial techniques in Chinese.

by Muhammad Amirul Naim Rosmi

Penang's Magazines Preserve The Past and Shape the Future

8 min read

In early 1989, Ganesh Kolandaveloo, a Form 5 student at St. Xavier’s Institution, would visit his grand-uncle’s newsstand on Prangin Road after school.

by Eugene Quah

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