January 2026

Our January issue explores how artificial intelligence is redefining work, security and everyday life, from the promises of automation and digital finance to the ethical questions it raises about creativity, ownership and the future of human thinking.

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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.

Flames of Fortune: The Chneah Hoay Ceremony at Penang’s Oldest Chinese Temple

4 min read

ON THE EVENING of 23 February, my friend—a heritage enthusiast from Penang Heritage Trust (PHT), Ganesh Kolandaveloo—and I went to see the venerable Chneah Hoay...

by Eugene Quah

Events in May

4 min read

RUNWhether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out, the Raya Run 2024 is perfect for people of all ages and fitness levels. With a scenic route and pl...

by Penang Monthly

Art Exhibition Extraordinaire at the Ng Fook Temple

4 min read

CHINESE TEMPLES IN Penang serve as a place for worship, for ancestral prayers and for celebrations, such as the Mooncake Festival and Dragon Boat Festival. Howe...

by Iylia De Silva

Date A Local

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by Azmi Hussin

Embracing the Joy of Having Toys

5 min read

AS KIDS NOWADAYS gravitate towards tablets and gadgets, the toy market is being kept afloat mostly by adults. According to data from NPD Group, a huge number of...

by Cheah Mi Chelle

A Pageant to Highlight Beauty’s Depth

4 min read

With a growing focus on intelligence and personal well-being, Malaysian beauty pageants are contesting against traditional notions of beauty.

by Ian McIntyre

Malaysia as a Global Educational Hub: A Win-Win-Win Situation

3 min read

ACCORDING TO THE Ministry of Higher Education, there were 136,497 international students enrolled in Malaysia in 2019, with 93,569 enrolled in tertiary institut...

by Dr. Rahida Aini

A Penang Comprador: “There Was Always Carlsberg beer in the House”

3 min read

TAN HENG SOON (1894-1962), a Straits-born Baba, was a comprador for the Danish East Asiatic Company, a prestigious European company established in 1897 by H.N....

by Anne Tan

From Hillview to Wellesley: The Evolution of a Pioneering Boys’ School

9 min read

JALAN SULTAN AZLAN SHAH, formerly known as Northam Road, hugs the contours of North Beach, extending towards Gurney Drive. With the panoramic views it offers of...

by Eugene Quah

Events in April

4 min read

LEARNINGOrganised by Penang Math Platform, MathBoost is a fun and engaging app-based learning experience focusing on arithmetic operations and numeracy skills f...

by Penang Monthly

Sunny With A Chance of Heatstroke

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by Azmi Hussin

Weathering Climate Change—A Battle Fatal to Lose

3 min read

I REMEMBER STRUGGLING with the terms “weather” and “climate” in primary school.And as with most related words, it was about knowing when to use one and not the...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

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