Penang Institute

In our upcoming interview, we speak with Zhi Yi Ooi, creator of Hungry Penang Lang, about the role of social media in documenting and celebrating Penang’s food culture. Beyond supporting local businesses, digital storytelling can shine a light on the people behind the food and raise awareness of the hawker way of life.

Can a short video inspire people to appreciate a tradition that has been passed down for generations? As more of our cultural experiences move online, who gets to tell the stories that shape our collective memory? And how can digital platforms help ensure that the voices of hawkers and local communities are not lost in the fast-changing trends?
Interestingly, since our interview, Zhi Yi has gained first-hand experience as a hawker himself. This new perspective makes his reflections even more relevant as Penang continues to think about the future of its food heritage.

👉 Swipe through to discover key insights from our conversation.

💬 What role do you think social media should play in preserving Penang’s food culture? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

📲 Follow Penang Institute for more conversations on food our rich culture and unique heritage

History is not just about the past—it is a source of strategic memory. For Malaysia, centuries of maritime exchange and connectivity continue to shape how the nation navigates an increasingly complex world.

📘 In this issue, Dr. Nasha Rodziadi Khaw examines how the strategic practices of Ancient Kedah and the Sultanate of Melaka remain relevant to Malaysia's foreign policy today.

The lesson is clear: influence is sustained not through dominance or alignment, but through the calibrated management of relationships across competing powers.

Ancient history, modern lessons. What made these maritime powers so successful?

⚓ Strategic Location
They sat at the crossroads of major maritime routes linking the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

🤝 Diplomacy and Relationship-Building
They cultivated ties with multiple regional and global powers rather than relying on military dominance.

🚢 Trade and Connectivity
Their prosperity came from facilitating the movement of goods, people, and ideas across Asia.

🌏 Openness to Different Cultures
They thrived as meeting points for diverse communities, merchants, religions, and knowledge systems.

💭 Join the conversation: Which lesson from Ancient Kedah and the Sultanate of Melaka do you think is most relevant for Malaysia today—and how should it shape the country's approach to an increasingly complex world?

📘 Swipe through for key points.
👉 Read the full report: https://penanginstitute.org/publications/issues/navigating-big-powers-in-the-indo-pacific-today-lessons-for-malaysia-from-ancient-kedah-and-the-sultanate-of-melaka/

👍 Like • 💬 Comment • 🔁 Share to keep the discussion going
➕ Follow Penang Institute for evidence-based policy research on Malaysia.

Penang Institute - Making ideas work

📚🇯🇵 READ JAPAN DAY IS THIS FRIDAY!

Ready to discover more about Japan? Join us this Friday, 14 August for Read Japan Day: Society & Culture (Part I – Ancient Japan) at Penang Institute!

📖 Explore our collection of English-language books on Japan, from ancient society and culture to history and everyday life.

🕤 9:30am–3:30pm
📍 Ground Floor, South Wing, Penang Institute
🎟 Free admission | No registration required

Come by, browse, and discover something new! 🇯🇵📚

30 years after his passing, are Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Khoon's ideals still relevant in today's Malaysia?

This public talk revisits his enduring legacy of principled politics, multiracialism, and fearless dissent, and explores the continued significance of these values in contemporary Malaysian society. The discussion will reflect on Tan Chee Khoon's contributions to Malaysian democracy, his unwavering commitment to justice and accountability, and the challenges of upholding these ideals in an increasingly complex political landscape.

Join Dr Francis Loh Kok Wah and Tan Poh Lai for a discussion on how Tan Chee Khoon’s principles continue to inform contemporary debates on democracy, governance, and the role of dissent in a changing political landscape.

📅 5 September 2026 (Saturday)
🕙 10:00am–11:30am
📍 Conference Hall, Penang Institute

Free admission.

Register: https://bit.ly/PI-merdeka

Please note that this event will not be livestreamed. A recording will be available on the Penang Institute YouTube channel after the event at https://www.youtube.com/

Organised by Penang Institute in collaboration with Aliran.

Remembering Pearly Kee through her own words. In this interview, she reflects on heritage, change,and the future of Penang’s culinary journey, leaving behind insights that continue to guide and inspire.

Remembering through her own words. In this interview, she reflects on heritage, change,
and the future of Penang's culinary journey, leaving behind insights that continue to guide and inspire.

🥬 Why should we cherish seasonal produce?
🏠 Are younger generations losing the connection to cooking traditions?
🍰 And how can we elevate Nyonya food while still respecting its origins?

Her message is simple but powerful:
“Cook with love. Eat with gratitude.” 🙏

Though Pearly Kee is no longer with us, her passion for preserving and sharing Nyonya culinary traditions Pearly Kee continues to inspire. Through her work, she reminded us that behind every dish are farmers, fishermen, and producers whose dedication brings flavour to our tables. As recipes evolve and food cultures change, her message remains especially relevant: preserving the stories, heritage, and people behind our food matters more than ever.

“Nyonya food is meant to be lavish—let us enjoy it.”

👉 Swipe through the slides to read Pearly’s insights.

❓What do you think:
Can tradition 🏮 and innovation 🍳exist in the same kitchen?

From street food to signature dish, we explore the present and future of Penang’s food scene. Follow us for more on this topic.

🍽️🌶️

Acap kali, sebuah kota moden dibayangkan bergerak sepenuhnya di atas pelan binaan dan birokrasi yang kaku. Persekitaran yang tersusun dan saintifik ini sering menapis keluar unsur-unsur tidak rasmi yang sebenarnya memberi jiwa kepada kehidupan manusia.

Dinamik ini dikupas dengan cukup menarik oleh Izzuddin Ramli dalam artikel beliau bertajuk "Pesona Hidup Manusia Kota". Tulisan ini merungkaikan bagaimana kecekapan birokrasi moden sering bertembung dengan keperluan asas manusia terhadap tradisi, kehangatan komuniti, dan kebebasan di dalam persekitaran bandar.

Pautan artikel: https://penanginstitute.org/publications/suara-nadi/pesona-hidup-manusia-kota/

On 30 July 2026, Penang Institute co-organised a closed-door round table discussion titled “Social Welfare Under Pressure: Empowering States to Tackle Systemic Challenges and Crises”, together with the Penang State Select Committee on State-Federal Relations and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Malaysia.

Bringing together policymakers, public administrators, practitioners and researchers, the discussion explored how Malaysia’s state-federal social welfare system can be strengthened to better address complex and evolving social challenges. The exchange highlighted the importance of collaboration across institutions in building a more responsive, equitable and effective social welfare framework.

The session opened with welcoming remarks by Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director of Penang Institute; YB Lim Siew Khim, Penang EXCO for Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs; Ms Natalie Russmann, Country Director of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Malaysia; and YB Gooi Hsiao Leung, Chairman of the Penang State Select Committee on State-Federal Relations.

Penang Institute extends its sincere appreciation to our distinguished speakers for sharing their expertise and valuable insights throughout the discussion: YBhg. Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan, Director-General of the Department of Social Welfare Malaysia; Mr. Mohd Azahari Mohd Daut, Director of the Productive Welfare Division, Department of Social Welfare Malaysia; Puan Rozita Ibrahim, Director of Penang State Department of Social Welfare; Datuk Dr Hartini Zainudin, Founder of Yayasan Chow Kit; Mr Muhd Farqani Mohd Noor, Social Policy Specialist at UNICEF Malaysia; and Dr Vikneswaren Murugiah, Ministry of Health, Pulau Pinang. Their contributions enriched the dialogue and fostered a meaningful exchange of perspectives and proposals to strengthen Malaysia’s social welfare system.

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Gooi Hsiao Leung
Ooi Kee Beng
Lim Siew Khim 林秀琴
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
UNICEF Malaysia
Yayasan Chow Kit