Penang Institute is one of Malaysia’s leading think tanks. Funded by the Penang State Government, it was established in 1997 as the Socio-Economic and Environmental Research Institute (SERI) and was renamed in 2011 to reflect the state’s ambition to strengthen Penang’s position as an intellectual and cultural hub within Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region. The institute undertakes research and public engagement on a broad range of policy, social, and cultural issues. It publishes policy briefs, reports, and monographs, and organises public events such as seminars and book launches. Penang Institute also produces the magazine Penang Monthly, as well as podcasts and interviews that explore current affairs and emerging trends. In times of crisis, the institute contributes to public understanding by publishing analyses of local developments in a global context.

Contact details

Website:
https://penanginstitute.org/category/publications/issues/

Address:
10-12 Brown Road, 10340 Penang, Malaysia

Country:
Malaysia

Sub-region:
South-Eastern Asia

Areas of focus

Geographics of focus
Penang, Malaysia, Southeast Asia, East Asia
Operating languages
English

Organisation details

Business model
Non-profit
Institutional affiliations
Government
Year founded
1997
Age (years)
Penang Institute
 28
Malaysia average
 24
Global average
 32
Founded by
Founders: Lim Pao Li
Founder gender: Both male & female co-founders
Leadership
Leader(s) (2025): Dr Ooi Kee Beng
Leader gender: Male
Staff size
2025
Penang Institute
 25
Malaysia average
 13
Global average
 88
% Female staff
2025
Penang Institute
 80%
Malaysia average
 38%
Global average
 50%
% Female researchers
2025
Penang Institute
 60%
Malaysia average
 25%
Global average
 47%

Organisational performance

Publications
2024
Penang Institute
 20
Malaysia average
 7
Global average
 57
Financials
2024
Penang Institute
 $800,000
Malaysia average
 $462,185
Global average
 $9,062,809

Social

Twitter
Followers (2025)
Penang Institute
 3,055
Malaysia average
 4,168
Global average
 19,888
Instagram
Followers (2025)
Penang Institute
 2,693
Malaysia average
 2,522
Global average
 18,586

Data notes

Last updated: 14/11/2025
Rating of data accuracy (find out more) : OTT reviewed
Data sources consulted: Information supplied by organisation, Organisation´s website
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