Penang Institute

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Penang Institute Penang Institute, founded in 1997, is today one of Malaysia’s major public policy think tanks.

Penang Institute was honored to host a distinguished delegation from the Embassy of Denmark in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in...
16/10/2026

Penang Institute was honored to host a distinguished delegation from the Embassy of Denmark in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in Malaysia, led by Her Excellency Kirstine Vangkilde Berner. The visit sparked dynamic discussions on the latest developments in Malaysia and the region, alongside exciting future plans for gastro-diplomacy. Looking ahead, both sides explored an inspiring cultural collaboration with the George Town Literary Festival (GTLF), discussing potential plans to bring a celebrated writer from Denmark to Penang's literary stage.

(L–R) Mark Perry, Head of Trade; Merve Imren Yalcin, Deputy Head of Mission; Dato’ Lio Chee Yeong, Honorary Consul; Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director of Penang Institute; H.E. Kirstine Vangkilde Berner, Danish Ambassador; Dr Tan Lee Ooi, Director of Research at Penang Institute; and Julia Tan, Director of Communications at Penang Institute.

🏙️ Penang is building a smarter, more inclusive economy—powered by advanced manufacturing, digital services and the peop...
16/10/2026

🏙️ Penang is building a smarter, more inclusive economy—powered by advanced manufacturing, digital services and the people behind them.

With RM130.3B in economic value created in 2025, the state is combining its strengths in semiconductors, precision manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and ICT with AI, automation and data-driven decision-making. The results are tangible: smart-factory initiatives have improved productivity and reduced delivery lead times, while digital health services are making care more accessible and efficient.The opportunity ahead is to ensure every business, worker and community can benefit through AI-ready skills, SME support, trusted digital infrastructure and stronger collaboration across industry, government and academia.

✍️ Author: David Chai, Quantitative Data Researcher
🔗 Explore more data and insights: https://statistics.penanginstitute.org/
📲 Scan the QR code in the visual to explore further insights.

On October 9th, the First Secretary of U.S. Embassy, Matthew Steed paid a courtesy visit to Penang Institute to discuss ...
14/10/2026

On October 9th, the First Secretary of U.S. Embassy, Matthew Steed paid a courtesy visit to Penang Institute to discuss about Penang’s strategic role and perspective on regional and global issues. Key discussion topics include Malaysia's strategic relationship with the U.S. and China, inter-ASEAN regional dynamics, and how Penang leveraged its regional and economic strengths in navigating the current geopolitical landscape. He was received by Penang Institute Executive Director, Dato' Dr. Ooi Kee Beng, alongside Socioeconomics & Statistics (SESP) team members Ong Wooi Leng, Yeong Pey Jung, and Kenneth Ong.

[Talk] Palestinian Voices for a Just Future-Synopsis: A public forum for Palestinians to tell their own history, stories...
11/10/2026

[Talk] Palestinian Voices for a Just Future
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Synopsis: A public forum for Palestinians to tell their own history, stories, vision and hopes.

Speakers: Dr. Khalil Al Zayyan, Baha Hilo and Nour Ammar Murtaja
Moderator: Dato' Seri Anwar Fazal

Sunday, 25 October 2026
10:00am – 12:30pm
Penang Institute, 10 Brown Road, Penang

Free Registration: https://forms.gle/DHn73oHTYuzBjVUcA

Launched in 2023, the Forum for Leadership and Governance (FLAG) is entering its next phase.Building on its early experi...
08/10/2026

Launched in 2023, the Forum for Leadership and Governance (FLAG) is entering its next phase.

Building on its early experience, FLAG will bring together research, policy engagement and public dialogue to examine real governance challenges and develop practical ideas for change.

Three years later, FLAG is back in action. 🚩

Read about what’s next:
https://penanginstitute.substack.com/p/hoisting-the-flag-higher

What role does political leadership play in the quality and resilience of democracy? The Workshop on Democratic Leadersh...
08/10/2026

What role does political leadership play in the quality and resilience of democracy?

The Workshop on Democratic Leadership in Southeast Asia, organised by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy and Taiwan Journal of Democracy, and hosted by Penang Institute, brought together scholars to examine this question comparatively.

Conceived by Tun-jen Cheng of William & Mary and the editor of Taiwan Journal of Democracy, the workshop responds to an important gap in the study of democracy: institutions, electoral systems and political parties matter, but leadership also shapes how democratic systems function.

Da-Chi Liao, President of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, spoke about the significance of the workshop, while Dato’ Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director of Penang Institute welcomed participants.

The discussions examined different forms of political leadership across the region, including toxic-dynastic in the Philippines, meritocratic democracy in Singapore, democratic erosion in Indonesia, 'two licenses' to rule in Thailand after the Coup d'état, and typology of political leadership in Southeast Asia.

The comparative and in-depth discussions offered valuable perspectives on both the difficulties and possibilities of sustaining democracy in Southeast Asia.

The following papers were presented at the workshop:

1. Why Toxic Leaders Thrive but Fail to Consolidate: Dynastic Democracy, Performative Populism, and Democratic Resilience in the Philippines by Aries Arugay, University of the Philippines, Diliman

2. Performance, Proximity, and the Popular Foundations of Democratic Erosion in Indonesia by Burhanuddin Muhtadi, Rizki Rahmadian and M. Adam Kamil - State Islamic University, Jakarta

3. Political Leadership in a Meritocratic Democracy: Lessons from Singapore - Tan Lee Ooi, Penang Institute

4. The Nature of Leadership in Malaysia: Ethnocentrism, Federalism, and the Issue of a Deep State by Dato' Dr Ooi Kee Beng, Penang Institute

5. Leadership by Permission: The Making of Political Leadership in Thailand after the 2014 Coup by Purawich Watanasukh, Thammasat University

6. Political Leadership in Southeast Asia: Divergence and Variety by Meredith Weiss, State University of New York, Albany

Choose local. Support farmers. Sustain Penang.The farm-to-table movement is about more than fresh ingredients—it is abou...
07/10/2026

Choose local. Support farmers. Sustain Penang.

The farm-to-table movement is about more than fresh ingredients—it is about building a stronger connection between farmers, chefs, and the community. 🌱🍽️

By sourcing ingredients directly from local farmers and fishermen, the restaurant creates fresher, healthier dishes while supporting Penang's agricultural community.

Chef Wei Chen Tan shares how months of sourcing, rediscovering fermentation, and reimagining local ingredients—from laksa leaf pesto to fermented turnip and Penang vanilla—have shaped a dining experience rooted in both innovation and heritage.

His message is simple: the future of Penang's food lies in valuing local ingredients, supporting the farmers behind them, and embracing sustainable farm-to-table dining.

👉 Swipe through to discover key insights from our conversation.

💬 The future of Penang's food begins with the choices we make today. Do you agree? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

📲 Follow Penang Institute for more stories on the ideas, people, and traditions shaping the future of Penang.

Join us for the final Read Japan Day on 9 October 2026, featuring a wide-ranging collection of English-language books on...
06/10/2026

Join us for the final Read Japan Day on 9 October 2026, featuring a wide-ranging collection of English-language books on Japan, from manga and literature to history, culture, politics, economics and more.

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

Everyone is welcome to browse and read. 📖

🗳️ Building a more representative democracy begins with ensuring more women have a place on the ballot. Increasing wome...
02/10/2026

🗳️ Building a more representative democracy begins with ensuring more women have a place on the ballot.

Increasing women’s political representation starts with candidacy. With too few women nominated to contest elections, achieving the minimum 30% representation target remains a challenge.

In Counting Candidates Towards Minimum 30% Women Representation on the Ballot, Yeong Pey Jung explores why institutionalising a 30% women candidacy target is an important step towards a more inclusive democracy.

📖 Publication: Counting Candidates Towards Minimum 30% Women Representation on the Ballot
✍️ Author: Yeong Pey Jung, Senior Analyst, Socioeconomics and Statistics Programme
📚 Series: ISSUES

🔗 Read the full publication: https://penanginstitute.org/publications/issues/counting-candidates-towards-minimum-30-women-representation-on-the-ballot/

📲 Scan the QR code in the final slide to access the publication.

29/09/2026

Penang is one of Malaysia’s smallest states. So why does it have the country’s second-largest cargo airport?

Penang International Airport handles the country’s second-largest cargo tonnage, after KLIA, reflecting the state’s growing role in manufacturing and logistics.

The numbers are striking: freight and logistics contributed about 12% of Penang’s GDP, worth RM14.7 billion in 2024. In 2025, Penang International Airport accounted for 27% of Malaysia’s total airport trade, worth RM832 billion.

Why? Penang’s high-value manufacturing base, particularly semiconductors, generates demand for moving valuable, time-sensitive goods quickly.

To support this growth, the airport is undergoing a RM1.2 billion expansion, doubling cargo capacity from three to six aircraft bays. By 2028, the Penang International Logistics Aeropark is also expected to strengthen the state’s logistics infrastructure.

What does this mean for Penang’s wider economy? Read the Penang Economic Outlook booklet for more insights: https://bit.ly/PEO-26

Address

10 Brown Road
George Town
10350

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 17:30
Tuesday 08:30 - 17:30
Wednesday 08:30 - 17:30
Thursday 08:30 - 17:30
Friday 08:30 - 17:30

Telephone

+6042283306

Website

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