THE Miss Penang Kebaya 2026 (Northern Region) has so far attracted 32 participants for the contest, which will be held at The Top Atrium, Level 5, Komtar, on Sept 5 from 3pm to 6pm.
Organising chairman Jo Khor said entries are still open for four categories: Children (5 to 12 years old), Teenagers (13 to 18), Miss (19 to 35, single and unmarried), and Queen (36 and above, open to women of all marital statuses).
She said women from Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak are welcome to participate.
“We have four categories, from children to adults, because we want to showcase the beauty of the kebaya while preserving and promoting it among the younger generation,” said Khor, founder of Spark Life Transformation Centre, which is organising the contest for the third consecutive year.
She also thanked sponsors, including Amari Hotel and The Top, for supporting the event.
As with last year’s contest, eight finalists — two from each category — will advance to the Miss Malaysia Kebaya contest in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 4 and 5.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who attended the Miss Malaysia Kebaya Roadshow Penang at The Top in Komtar today, said the Miss Penang Kebaya 2026 is not simply about launching a beauty and cultural competition, but about celebrating a living heritage that connects Southeast Asia.
He recalled that on Dec 4, 2024, the kebaya was officially inscribed on Unesco’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity through a joint nomination by Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
“For Penang, this connection is especially significant. Penang is home to a rich and living Peranakan heritage, and the kebaya forms an important part of this cultural story. At the same time, the kebaya has evolved beyond any single community,” Wong said.
“Today, Malaysians from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds proudly wear and appreciate the kebaya. This is what makes the kebaya so special. It is rooted in tradition, but it continues to evolve with society. It belongs to our history, but it also belongs to our future. And this is exactly the spirit that we hope to bring forward through Miss Penang Kebaya 2026.”
He added that a kebaya competition will not only generate content but also support local designers, encourage photography and digital storytelling, create meaningful tourism experiences and provide more opportunities for the creative industry.
“Beyond finding winners, I believe the real success of this programme is when we inspire more people to appreciate and wear the kebaya,” he said.
Dr Jason Hee, chairman and president of Miss Malaysia Kebaya and the Malaysian Fashion, Modelling, and Pageant Awards (MFMPA), said the Penang stop is an opportunity to discover outstanding representatives who can carry Penang’s name, culture and heritage forward to the Miss Malaysia Kebaya 2026 Grand Final at DBKL in Kuala Lumpur.
“Every stop gives us an opportunity to discover new talents, build new partnerships and tell another chapter of Malaysia’s cultural story. We’re looking for women who can represent confidence, character, culture and community — women who can proudly become ambassadors for Penang and Malaysia,” he said.
Hee said the mission of Miss Malaysia Kebaya (MMK) is to preserve and promote the kebaya by keeping it relevant, visible and appreciated by younger generations.
He said the platform also aims to empower women by helping them develop confidence, communication, leadership and personal growth, while creating opportunities for young talents, including designers, models, artisans, photographers, makeup artists, performers, students and creative entrepreneurs.
Another key objective is to promote cultural tourism by connecting fashion and heritage with destinations, museums, attractions, hotels and local communities.
“Most importantly, we want to celebrate the multicultural identity that makes Malaysia unique. The kebaya belongs to a living heritage — one that continues to evolve while remaining connected to its roots,” he said.
During the Penang Stop roadshow, the 2025 Miss Penang Kebaya top three winners, from the children’s to the adult categories, also took part in a catwalk presentation at The Top.
Also present at the roadshow were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Peranakan Mansion director and Peranakan Baba Nyonya Association president Datuk Lillian Tong, Penang Women Chamber of Commerce charter president Datuk Annie Chin, Penang History Gallery director Cool Koe, and Miss Penang Kebaya 2026 adviser Dr Jenny See.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En