Penang Institute

Overwhelming media coverage of the Interstate Forum for State-Federal Relations proves one thing: Malaysian federalism is an urgent national priority.

Held on 11 June 2026, this non-partisan event brought together representatives from Penang, Sarawak, Sabah, Selangor, Terengganu, Kelantan, and Perlis, alongside policymakers, legislators, and subject-matter experts. The forum served as a platform to examine and reimagine state-federal dynamics in Malaysia. Participants shared experiences of state–federal relations that revealed both common challenges and distinct regional realities.

Co-organized with the Penang State-Federal Relations Select Committee, Penang Institute was proud to facilitate this important public intellectual discussion. We remain committed to advancing ideas and dialogue that contribute to a more balanced and effective federal system for Malaysia.

Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of the forum.

The media coverage reports are accessible here: https://penanginstitute.org/category/media/news-coverage/

Photo caption:
Front: Datuk Brenndon Keith Soh (State Attorney-General of Sabah), YB Lim Siew Khim 林秀琴(Penang, EXCO), YB Dato’ Ng Suee Lim (Selangor, EXCO), YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow 曹觀友 (Chief Minister, Penang), YB Gooi Hsiao Leung (Chairperson, Penang State-Federal Relations Select Committee), YB Wan Zikri Afthar bin Ishak (Perlis, EXCO), YB Datuk Hajah Sharifah Hasidah binti Sayeed Aman Ghazali (Sarawak, Deputy Minister)

Behind: Dato’ Dr. Ooi Kee Beng (Executive Director, Penang Institute), YB Nik Asma' Bahrum bin Nik Abdullah (Kelantan, Deputy EXCO), YB Dato' Haji Zairi bin Haji Mat Ali (State Finance Officer), YB Lee Khai Loon 李凯伦 & YB Teh Lai Heng (Committee Mmeber, Penang State-Federal Relations Select Committee), YBhg. Dato' Hj Baderul Amin Bin Abdul Hamid (Mayor MBSP)

Penang Hill is more than just a scenic destination — it is a living heritage shaped by its rich natural environment, history, culture, and community.

Listen to this episode of 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗵, featuring 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗼’ 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗮𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴 General Manager of Penang Hill Corporation, as he shares his vision for Penang Hill and highlights the importance of balancing conservation, sustainable tourism, and community engagement to safeguard this treasured landmark for future generations.

Bukit Bendera bukan sekadar destinasi pelancongan yang indah — ia merupakan warisan yang dibentuk oleh kekayaan alam semula jadi, sejarah, budaya dan komuniti yang unik.

Ikuti episod '𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗵' yang menampilkan 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗼’ 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗮𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗴, Pengurus Besar Perbadanan Bukit Bendera Pulau Pinang, yang berkongsi visi beliau untuk Bukit Bendera serta menekankan kepentingan mengimbangi usaha pemuliharaan, pelancongan mampan dan penglibatan komuniti dalam memelihara khazanah berharga ini untuk generasi akan datang.

升旗山不仅是一处风景优美的旅游胜地，更是一片由丰富自然环境、历史、文化与社区共同塑造而成的活态遗产。

欢迎收听由升旗山机构总经理拿督石礼兴所主讲的“𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗵”播客节目，聆听他分享对升旗山未来发展的愿景，并阐述如何在保育工作、永续旅游与社区参与之间取得平衡，共同守护这座珍贵地标，为后代留下宝贵的自然与文化遗产。

👉Listen to the full podcast by Penang Institute here/ Dengarkan podcast penuh terbitan Penang Institute di sini/ 点击以下链接，收听由槟城研究院制作的完整播客：

[39] Balancing Nature and Community: Dato’ Cheok Lay Leng’s Vision for Penang Hill – Penang Institute Penang Hill is more than a scenic escape—it is a living heritage shaped by ecology, culture, and community. In this conversation with Dr Beh May ...

📚 READ JAPAN DAY – Reminder

We look forward to welcoming you on 19 June 2026 at 10:30AM for the first edition of Read Japan Day.

A few important notes before your visit:
📍 The venue is located on the Ground Floor, South Wing of Penang Institute.
🚗 Upon entering the Penang Institute compound, please turn left and park in the designated parking lots.
📖 To help maintain a pleasant reading environment, food and drinks are not permitted in the venue.
📚 All books are for on-site browsing only and are not available for borrowing.

See you there! 🇯🇵

From “Char Koay Teow” to “Penang noodles”, shares the realities of bringing Penang food to London, while reflecting on how the slow food movement could push Penang cuisine to the next level.

Join the Penang-born chef as he speaks about sustainability, identity, and the flavours that make Penang worth showcasing to the world. What Penang dish or ingredient do you think deserves more global recognition?

Dear attendees, this is a friendly reminder that the event will be held at Black Kettle, not at Penang Institute.

Step into history with us.

Tea Talk: In Celebration of the 190th Anniversary of Yeoh Kongsi

Founded in 1836, Har Yang Sit Teik Tong Yeoh Kongsi is one of Penang’s “Big Five” clan houses—an enduring pillar of heritage, architecture and community life. Long regarded as a hidden gem of George Town, it now opens its doors for a rare afternoon of insight, conversation and discovery.

Begin with a keynote by renowned heritage conservationist Ms. Lim Gaik Siang, followed by a panel on The Evolving Roles of Clan Houses—Past, Present, and Future featuring Ms. Lim, Dr. Ling Zhengyuan and Ms. Pan Yi Chieh. Together, they will explore how these historic institutions continue to adapt across generations.

✨ Stay on for an exclusive guided tour of Yeoh Kongsi—available only to participants.

Event Details
📅 Friday, 5 June 2025
🕝 2:30pm – 5:00pm
📍 Black Kettle, 105 Beach Street, George Town

Programme Highlights
• Keynote: Heritage and Harmony: The History and Architecture of Yeoh Kongsi
• Panel Discussion & Q&A
• Afternoon Tea & Refreshments
• Exclusive Guided Tour of Yeoh Kongsi

Join us for an afternoon where history, heritage and dialogue come together—within the walls of one of Penang’s most storied clan houses.

Register now (free admission): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987501834489?aff=oddtdtcreator

On 18 May, Penang Institute was pleased to host Executive Director Matej Šimalčík and Filip Šebok, Head of the Prague Office at the Central European Institute of Asian Studies (CEIAS), a leading Central European think tank, for a productive exchange on semiconductors, investment trends, and future collaboration opportunities. We look forward to building meaningful partnerships ahead.

Photo (L-R) -- Siti Nor Nadhirah Zainuddin (Project Researcher, Penang Institute), Ong Wooi Leng (Head of Socioeconomics & Statistics Programme, Penang Institute), Matej Šimalčík (Executive Director, CEIAS), Filip Šebok (Head of Prague Office, CEIAS), Dr. Tan Lee Ooi (Director of Research, Penang Institute), Dr. Beh May Ting (Head of History & Regional Studies Programme, Penang Institute)

The Closed-Door Roundtable Discussion on “Empowering Healthcare Delivery”, held on 21 May 2026, was jointly organised by Penang Institute, the Penang State Legislative Assembly’s Select Committee on State-Federal Relations, and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Malaysia (KAS). The session convened policymakers, senior healthcare administrators from government hospitals (including directors and deputy directors), healthcare practitioners, academics, healthcare stakeholders, and policy experts to exchange views on strengthening Malaysia’s healthcare delivery system.

The programme commenced with remarks by Ms Natalie Russman, Country Director of KAS Malaysia, followed by Special Remarks from Y.B. Daniel Gooi 魏子森 , Penang State EXCO for Youth, Sports and Health. This was followed by the Opening Address titled “Healthcare Governance in Malaysia” by Y.B. Gooi Hsiao Leung, Chairman of the Penang Select Committee on State-Federal Relations.

Moderation was led by Dr Por Heong Hong, an academic at Universiti Sains Malaysia Penang (Part 1: Challenges in the Current System), and Penang Institute Senior Analyst Dr Fauwaz Abdul Aziz (Part 2: Pathways for Decentralisation). The discussions centred on two key questions: identifying major challenges arising from the current federally-driven healthcare system, and formulating practical policy recommendations for enhanced state government involvement, powers, and functions in healthcare delivery.

The roundtable underscored the importance of inclusive dialogue, evidence-based policymaking, and stronger federal-state collaboration in building a more resilient, equitable, and future-ready healthcare ecosystem for the rakyat.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all speakers, moderators, participants, and partners for their valuable insights and contributions throughout the session.