Penang: Penang has officially gazetted 50 cultural heritage items this year under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011 as part of efforts to preserve the state's rich cultural treasures.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai announced that the inaugural gazettement includes 15 heritage sites, seven intangible cultural heritage elements, and 28 local heritage food items. Among the heritage sites gazetted on May 7 are Cherok Tok Kun Inscription, Fort Cornwallis, and the Guar Kepah Archaeological Site, alongside Penang Free School, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, and St George's Church.
For the intangible cultural heritage category, unique elements such as nasi kandar culture, kopitiam culture, and the Thaipusam procession were gazetted on January 22. This was followed by the inclusion of the Nillaikalakki Silambam martial art on May 7. Wong noted that the Teong Guan Phor Thor festival is in the process of being gazetted. Additionally, Penang's gastronomy received recognition with the gazettement of 28 heritage food items, including nasi kandar, pasembor, char kuey teow, asam laksa, Hokkien mee, roti benggali, cendol, teh tarik, and ais kepal.
Wong emphasized that this institutional recognition goes beyond administrative procedures, reflecting the state government's commitment to preserving historical memory and social identity. It positions cultural heritage as an important asset for tourism and the creative economy. He also mentioned that this move could elevate Penang's cultural heritage to the national level under the National Heritage Act 2005, with the potential for nomination to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the future.
The year 2026 is anticipated to mark a significant milestone for Penang's cultural heritage, achieving a more organized level of protection. The accomplishments in cultural heritage this year are commendable and have set a new record not seen in recent decades.