THE Penang Hill Festival 2026 will feature a stamp rally from July 17 to 19, marking a first-time collaboration between Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) and local artist Elsie Fun.
The three-day event will feature an interactive stamp rally across four stations, combining elements of science, nature, heritage and storytelling. It is open to participants of all ages.
In an interview with Buletin Mutiara, Elsie said the initiative aims to bring an experience commonly found overseas to local audiences.
“Stamp rallies are usually held abroad, so I want Penangites to experience something similar here. It’s designed to be fun, educational and accessible for both children and adults,” she said.
She added that Penang Hill is a natural fit for the collaboration due to its rich biodiversity and environmental significance.
“It aligns closely with my characters’ mission, which is centred on nature and plants. Penang Hill has so much to offer in terms of flora and fauna, and it’s important that we tell these stories and encourage conservation,” she said.
The stamp rally will be led by Elsie’s signature concepts ‘Kakpoot’ as well as ‘Tupai’, which will guide participants through the stations. Each checkpoint will highlight different aspects of the hill, including its history, architecture and wildlife.
“These characters are not just mascots. They help people connect emotionally with the stories. At each station, they will introduce different themes and make the learning experience more engaging,” she said.
Elsie noted that large-scale stamp rallies remain relatively rare in Penang, despite their popularity in other countries as interactive tourism activities.
“Penang is a well-known tourism destination, so there is strong potential to develop more programmes like this. It’s something that can be expanded further with support from the state and relevant agencies,” she said.
She recalled that discussions with PHC began earlier this year, leading to the collaboration.
Beyond Penang Hill, Elsie has been actively involved in similar initiatives, including collaborations with the George Town Festival (GTF) and the Penang International Dragon Boat Regatta.
She is also preparing another stamp rally for the Yosakoi Festival in Sungai Pinang, which will take place ahead of the Penang Hill event.
At the same time, Elsie is working on introducing Japan’s Blue Santa environmental awareness project to Malaysia, using her characters as storytelling tools to communicate its message.
“People may forget products, but they remember characters. That’s why I created ‘Kakpoot’ to carry stories, emotions and meaningful messages,” she said.
Elsie, who began developing the character during the Covid-19 pandemic, said it has since evolved into a broader intellectual property (IP) project.
“The idea behind ‘Kakpoot’ is about growth and resilience. Like plants, everyone grows at a different pace. It’s a reminder not to compare ourselves, but to focus on our own journey,” she said.
She added that her work now focuses on both journaling and character development, with plans to expand the IP to a wider audience.
“I hope to bring Penang onto the map through creative projects like this, and eventually take these characters to an international level,” she said.
Meanwhile, Elsie said her new gallery is set to be officially launched in Sungai Dua in October this year.
“I have moved my belongings there and I am currently preparing the space for the opening,” she said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat