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.

Halal—A Promising Industry for Penang that Needs Some Strategic Pushing

4 min read

HALAL, AN ARABIC term meaning “permissible” or “lawful”, encompasses various aspects of Muslim life, including food, safety, animal welfare, social justice and...

by Dr. Rahida Aini

An Outcome-Based Budget in Line With Penang2030

5 min read

THE 2024 PENANG STATE BUDGET, presented by the Chief Minister in November 2023, amounts to RM1.42bil, RM1.05bil of which are allocated for operating expenses an...

by Ong Wooi Leng

An Award-winning Calligrapher Continues to Inspire with Ink and Harmony

3 min read

THE FOUR TREASURES OF THE STUDY—brush, ink, paper and inkstone—are not just essential tools in Chinese brush paintings and calligraphy; they embody the scholar’...

by Iylia De Silva

Year in Review: Penang Key Economic Statistics

1 min read

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by Doris Liew

Optimism Permeates Penang’s Economic Ecosystems

10 min read

PENANG’S ECONOMY IS influenced by diverse elements, such as the global economic situation and its industrial foundation. The fifth largest economy among Malaysi...

by Doris Liew

On the Proposed Progressive Wage Model in Malaysia

5 min read

FOR YEARS, Malaysia has implemented a minimum wage policy. While this policy has undoubtedly provided some relief, rising costs of living have often outpaced wa...

by Azmil Akil

Azmil Akil

Penang Institute Pushes for Economic Ecosystems Development

4 min read

SINCE THE THEME for January 2024 is Penang’s Economic Development, it seems appropriate that I present in somewhat truncated form the document produced in March...

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Price Driven

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by Azmi Hussin

Coaching Makes Effective Leaders

3 min read

IN THE CORPORATE world, the traditional authoritarian leadership model has given way to more collaborative and people-centric approaches, and requires that lead...

by Ooi Tze Xiong

Menu Rahmah Has Been Helpful, But What’s Next?

3 min read

Menu Rahmah offers RM5 meals to ease living costs for B40 Malaysians. While it helps families access nutritious food, rising costs threaten its sustainability. A proposed app could track impact and support vendors, ensuring no one is left behind.

by Humaira Shafril

The Post-Covid Crisis: Rising Food Prices

10 min read

Cooking used to be a fun passion project, but with rising food costs, it’s now a careful act of budgeting. This piece explores how inflation is reshaping how Malaysians eat, shop and survive.

by Sheryl Teoh

Fight for Your Man Caves and Your Comfort Foods

3 min read

You have your favourite places—rooms where you feel safe, where you can let go. These are your retreats, your reset zones. Equally vital are the comfort foods that soothe your soul. In a crowded, overstimulated world, such sanctuaries—physical and emotional—are more essential than ever.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

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