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.

Bukit Papan: A Little Paradise Overlooking Penang’s South

6 min read

The hills in the southern part of Penang Island may have a lower elevation than the peaks in the north, but they are just as fascinating. While the allure of Penang Hill and the peaks in the north lie in their biodiverse rainforests, the experience in the south is pretty different.

by Rexy Prakash Chacko

Remembering the Pacific War in Sabah

7 min read

On 17 January 1942, the Japanese navy invaded and captured the city of Sandakan. With the loss of the capital, North Borneo was surrendered, and was occupied by the Japanese for 3 years and 8 months.

by Joan Liao

What’s So AmaZine About Zines?

5 min read

Somewhere between 2013 and 2015, Penang’s literary scene shifted. Not with a bang, but with a handful of stapled booklets, scrappy covers and stories that felt real in a way mainstream publishing rarely does. At the heart of it is Wilson Khor Woo Han.

by Nurul Natasha Amir

Siti Zuraina Abdul Majid: An Archaeologist Who is A National Treasure

5 min read

One can only imagine the lonely path Siti Zuraina Abdul Majid has travelled as Malaysia’s first archaeologist, and one with considerable academic gravitas under her belt. A returning graduate from the UK, she was only 24 years old when she excavated her first site in the late 1960s.

by Carolyn Khor

The Penang Monthly Short Story Prize 2025

1 min read

Penang Monthly invites submissions of original short fiction in conjunction with the George Town Literary Festival 2025 (28-30 November).

by Penang Monthly

Celebrating the Kebaya

9 min read

The kebaya holds deep cultural significance for women and communities across Southeast Asia, symbolising refinement, femininity, tradition, cultural heritage, women’s empowerment and identity.

by Dato' Lillian Tong

Dealing With the Droppings of Daily Life

3 min read

Novelties, novelties and new fashions. All crowding our homes and our heads. Within this paraphernalia of modern living, we try to stay balanced.

by Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng

Through Foreign Eyes: A Japanese Embrace of Malaysian Textiles

6 min read

What is it about our batik, Nyonya kebaya and baju kurung that captures the interest of fashion enthusiasts in Japan? In this article, Penang Monthly explores how Japanese and Malaysian textiles overlapped in history.

by Samantha Khoo

Remix the Songket? Of Course We Can

6 min read

Once exclusively crafted for the Malay Sultanate’s regalia, the songket has evolved into a more accessible symbol of heritage for all.

by Husna Shafirah

How To Be A Music Millionaire

7 min read

Turn yourself into a legitimate business and you’ll start seeing music not just as a creative outlet, but a business operation. You’d be surprised at how effective you (and your bandmates) can become when you start treating it that way.

by Moe Nasrul

A Couple's Passionate Journey On The Ikat Trail

9 min read

This collection of ikat textiles spans the Nusantara region, with different tribal cultures and histories, from the lush rainforests of Sarawak to the stunning, exotic islands east of Bali in Indonesia.

by Tan Sri Andrew Sheng & Puan Sri Lim Suan Poh

Ni Siap: From Forgotten Craft to Living Tradition

7 min read

Mangrove-based dyes have a long history across the world. Records point to their use from South America, India, Okinawa and Indonesia to Sabah by the Bajau and the Iranun ethnic groups; the practice was once widespread.

by Ong Ke Shin

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