About Us

Penang Institute was formerly known as Socio-Economic and Environmental Research Institute (SERI) and was established in 1997 as an independent non-profit Penang-based research institute with a focus on facilitating sustainable, continuous and balanced development for the state of Penang.

Right from the beginning SERI has been a unique institution with a difference. Unlike many other larger think tanks, SERI retained its compact structure and slim set-up, allowing the Institute to respond rapidly to new challenges. In the course of its time, SERI has firmly established itself as one of Malaysia’s leading independent think tank, regularly consulted by the Government, local and international NGOs on a diverse range of issues from education and sustainability to economics and human resource issues.

In August 2011, responding to the new challenges and dynamics of our times, SERI underwent a transformation process which includes a change of name and is now known as Penang Institute. Building on SERI’s tradition of excellence, Penang Institute aspires to be one of the best policy research institutes in the region, one that will provide both the Penang State Government and the people of Penang with far-sighted, creative and innovative policy options for Penang to lead again. The Institute aims to deepen Penang’s understanding of Asia where our future lies, while attempting to be the gathering hub where great Asian and global thinkers exchange views, with Penang as the experiment site where we put good ideas to work.

Penang Institute has established itself as a prominent think tank both in the State and in Malaysia. Thus, research and publications continue to be one of our core businesses. Our focus in the next few years is to imagine what Penang would look like as a successful international city in the heart of Asia. Penang Institute aims to provide viable alternatives to existing problems and anticipate future challenges by thinking ahead in order to make Penang the cultural, economic and intellectual capital of the region. Through a culture of creativity and innovation, and without compromising on rigorous research standards, Penang Institute aspires to be the premier think tank in the region specialising in providing an integrated solution to cities in this region and beyond. In short, if Penang is to be a model city in Asia, Penang Institute will be the regional expert in all-things city.

Penang Institute was officially inaugurated on 9 December 2011 by the Yang Amat Berhormat Mr. Lim Guan Eng, Chief Minister of Penang.

Core activities

Policy Research

Penang Institute has established itself as a prominent research institute both in Penang and in Malaysia. Thus, research and publications continue to be our core activities. Our focus in the next few years is to position ourselves in the forefront of policymaking process through providing research-driven policy inputs. We are leveraging on the Institute’s traditional strength in data collection and analysis and complementing it with acute policy thinking to provide policy solutions to the Penang State Government.

The Penang Institute also does studies for state, federal and international agencies, notably the Penang Development Corporation, Penang Skills Development Centre (PDC), the Ministry of Higher Education, and United Nations agencies such as the UNDP.

“Penang in Asia” Lecture Series

The “Penang in Asia” Lecture Series is organised by Penang Institute to bring together renowned scholars, public intellectuals and thinkers from diverse fields to Penang to speak about issues relevant to the State in its historic role as the cultural, intellectual and economic centre of Asia. The lectureship is awarded under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor of Penang.

Country Update

As Penang seeks to position itself as the provider of unique value propositions for Asia, it is crucial for the State to forge strong transnational collaborations. Penang must become both the regional logistical and knowledge hub for the international community. Penang Institute aims to establish Penang as the knowledge base for global citizens seeking information on the economic and political climate of the region. The Country Update is a public seminar series which features opinion-makers and experts who will share their insights on the latest situation of a particular Southeast Asian country.

The Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu Archive

This project aims to gather primary and secondary source materials on the late Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu, the second Chief Minister of Penang who has been endeared as the Father of Modern Penang for his contribution in building Penang from a struggling state in the late 60s and the 70s into a thriving industrial hub of Malaysia.

Penang Institute Roundtable series

This was mooted as a continuation from the series of roundtables held at the Institute throughout 2010 during the production of the Penang Blueprint. We found that often, a smaller group is more conducive and productive to test out new ideas. Hence, the Institute will continue to host regular roundtable discussions on various topics to engage the different actors and stakeholders within the State.

Forum Nusantara

Forum Intelektual Nusantara merupakan satu siri forum awam yang mengetengahkan pandangan alam dan budaya fikir cendekia, sasterawan, budayawan dan institusi-institusi keilmuan yang ada kaitannya dengan Pulau Pinang dan hubungannya dengan kebudayaan Nusantara secara keseluruhannya. Pulau Pinang yang suatu ketika dulu merupakan pusat pertembungan perdagangan, kebudayaan dan keilmuan yang sangat kosmopolitan sifatnya telah banyak mencambahkan benih perubahan dalam masyarakat. Antara nama besar yang pernah akrab dengan nama Pulau Pinang adalah Syed Sheikh bin Ahmad Al-Hadi (pelopor gerakan Kaum Muda di Malaya) Hon Sui Sen (tokoh kewangan Asia yang kemudiannya menjawat jawatan menteri kewangan paling lama di Singapura), Ahmad Rashid Talu (Sasterawan dan tokoh akhbar yang menubuhkan banyak syarikat penerbitan akhbar serta majalah penting pada zamannya termasuk Jelutong Press) serta ramai lagi yang terlalu panjang senarainya jika mahu diperincikan.

Tidak mahu hanya dibelenggu oleh romantism silam Institut Pulau Pinang (Penang Institute) mengambil langkah mula untuk mengembalikan fungsi Pulau Pinang sebagai hub intelektual Nusantara dengan menganjurkan siri forum ini. Justeru dengan kesedaran ini, Institut Pulau Pinang terpanggil untuk mengajak seluruh rakyat Pulau Pinang bersama-sama mengembalikan kegemilangan ini kepada kejayaan masa depan rantau Nusantara.

Penang Economic Monthly (PEM)

PEM is a think tank magazine that has been around for 11 years, has been overhauled and commercialised. This endeavour is in response to the growing insight among Penangites and Penang lovers that the downward trend in the state's fortunes cannot be successfully reversed unless they themselves get seriously involved. The goal is to inspire positive action among readers towards attaining a "Penang Renaissance". Penang Institute is therefore creating a print product that will do the following simultaneously:

1. Offer reliable socio-economic data for the benefit of decision makers in government and the private sector;
2. Supply Penangites with knowledge about significant issues that will promote public participation;
3. Encourage discussion about various aspects of Penang's fate and fortune;
4. Provide information about Penang personalities who have contributed, sometimes in very unassuming but critical ways, to the reputation and well-being of the state;
5. Place the spotlight on ordinary Penangites who are otherwise unnoticed and ignored, but who nevertheless define the culture of the state in essential ways;
6. Highlight the importance of the island as a generator of culture, education, industry and cosmopolitanism,
7. Emphasise present trends in the arts, industry, politics and economics that are prominent in Penang, and that affect the immediate future of the state and country; and,
8. Discover and display Penang's multifaceted history. This monthly magazine seeks, in the final analysis, to capture, present, enhance and represent the positive dynamism of Penang state and its people.