Bukit Mertajam: The Mount That Decides Borders
12 min read
“KEEP YOUR PISTOL cocked and ready, tuan, when you see me uncover my kris, as we pass through the blukar…
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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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Defining Penang Exceptionalism Through Its Geography, Its Biology and Its Human History
4 min read
One trait in people from Penang is that they are passionate about the place. Besides being their home, it is almost a holy place to them—a blessed place that inspires, attracts and awes most visitors.
Edgecumbe on Penang Hill: A Trip up Memory Lane
5 min read
PERCHED HIGH ON Penang Hill and setback from a road which has a gradient of 45 degrees, sits Edgecumbe. This…
Penang National Park: A Treasure Trove of Biodiversity That Can Only Get Better
5 min read
By investing in its preservation and potential, we ensure that PNP continues to thrive—not just as a park, but as a symbol of Penang’s commitment to sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
Postcards and Photos of Penang's Hills
3 min read
*Images from Marcus Langdon Collection.
TWO YEARS AFTER setting foot on Penang Island in 1786, Francis Light set his sights…
Collectibles in The Hills
9 min read
THERE IS SOMETHING deeply satisfying about crossing off an item that has lingered far too long on your to-do list.…
The Wisdom of Keeping An Emergency Bag
4 min read
IN THE EVENT of an emergency evacuation—whether due to an explosion, earthquake or a tsunami—do you have an…
Lessons From My Father: Zhong Nanshan on the Pursuit of Medical Truth
6 min read
This article is based on an interview with Professor Zhong Nanshan, done on March 8 during his visit to Penang…
It’s NOT Just in Your Head: Mental Health in Malaysian Society
6 min read
*Names changed to protect identities.
THERE IS A growing mental health crisis in Malaysia and across Asia. The World Health…
Bukit Kota & Bukit Indera Muda: A Former Socio-Political Centre
6 min read
Exploring Bukit Kota and Bukit Indera Muda reveals overlooked traces of Kedahan political power and Sumatran connections on Penang’s mainland—linking Tunku Sulaiman’s legacy, ancient trade routes, and a deeper history of Malay settlements in Seberang Perai.
The Contours of Home: From Palais to Pulau, An Exhibition on Belonging and Oddities
7 min read
Photos courtesy of Critical Craft Collective
WHILE HOME REPRESENTS safety and comfort, it also acts as an intimate space shaped…
Seawater Battery Technologies: An Offer Malaysia Should Not Refuse
5 min read
THE COASTAL WATERS surrounding Penang Island hold more than just tourist appeal and fishing potential—they could be the key…
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