Penang Gazettes 10 Traditional Dishes, Six Intangible Cultural Heritage Items

GEORGE TOWN, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The Penang state government has approved a State Declaration Gazette designating 10 traditional dishes and six intangible cultural heritage items as state heritage.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the approval was granted by the State Executive Council on Dec 10, 2025, after all nominations underwent a detailed screening and evaluation process by the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Sociocultural) Expert Committee, before being endorsed by the State Heritage Council.

"Penang has long been known as a state rich in history and cultural diversity, shaped by the harmony of its multiracial society that has formed the state’s unique identity.

“These heritage elements, including food, festivals, customs and sociocultural practices, constitute Penang’s cultural treasure trove that deserves to be preserved and safeguarded for future generations,” he said at a press conference to announce the gazettement of intangible cultural heritage items as state heritage at Komtar here today.

He said the 10 traditional dishes elevated as state heritage are nasi kandar, pasembor, char kue kak, oh chien, kerabu bihun, Hokkien mee, mee udang, mee sotong, mee Jawa and roti benggali.

Meanwhile, the six recognised intangible cultural heritage items are the nasi kandar culture, kopitiam culture, the Thaipusam procession, Chingay procession, St Anne’s Feast in Bukit Mertajam and the Tanjong Penang Malay dialect.

He said these items hold historical and cultural value, having been part of the Penang people’s lives as early as the 19th century and remaining relevant to this day.

“The gazettement is not only to preserve and conserve the state’s cultural heritage, but also to promote Penang’s uniqueness to both local and international communities, in line with the Penang2030 aspirations and the Malaysia MADANI framework,” he said.

He said that the gazettement is also a strategic step to ensure that heritage practices handed down through generations are not eroded by rapid development.

“The gazettement process was carried out in a structured manner via the Penang State Heritage Commissioner’s Office, which identifies, documents and nominates state heritage for official recognition,” he also said.

According to Chow, all 16 items will be officially declared during the Kenduri Warisan programme in conjunction with the State Heritage Declaration, scheduled to be held in the near future.

He also expressed hope that more of Penang’s cultural heritage treasures will be identified and elevated as state heritage going forward, to ensure that the state’s identity and uniqueness continue to be preserved for future generations.

-- BERNAMA