Penang gazettes 35 intangible heritage items, backs UNESCO bids for Chingay and lion dance

THE Penang government has gazetted 35 intangible cultural heritage items under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011, including seven cultural arts heritage items and 28 traditional food items, the State Legislative Assembly was told today.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai (PH-Paya Terubong) said one additional heritage item (on faith) is still undergoing the gazettement process.

He said all intangible cultural heritage items gazetted at the state level could subsequently be recommended for national gazettement under the National Heritage Act 2005 before being considered for international recognition under UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Responding on behalf of Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow to a question from Wong Yuee Harng (PH-Pengkalan Kota), Wong said the state government had supported the joint Malaysia-Singapore nomination for the Chingay Parade to UNESCO, which was submitted in March 2025.

He added that Penang had also backed the joint Malaysia-China nomination for the Lion Dance to UNESCO, which was also submitted in March 2025.

On efforts to preserve and develop intangible cultural heritage, Wong said the state government continued to promote local heritage through various programmes and festivals at both domestic and international levels.

Among them were a kebaya fashion showcase and the promotion of Malaysian breakfast culture during Penang Week held in conjunction with World Expo 2025 in Osaka.

He said the state also organises the Chingay Parade annually in George Town and Butterworth, and had been invited to participate in the Singapore Chingay Parade in 2025 and 2026.

Wong said the Penang State Museum Board is also organising the “Silat Siku 12 Exhibition”from March 3 to May 17 at its branch museum along Jalan Macalister to elevate the local martial arts tradition of silat, which has been recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.

He added that intangible cultural heritage elements are also celebrated through major state events and festivals.

List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Items Gazetted under the Penang Heritage Enactment 2011 (Enactment No. 14):

Story by Edmund Lee