Penang recognises seven cultural traditions, six heritage sites

PENANG, 12 OCTOBER 2026 —

The Penang state government has formally declared seven new intangible cultural traditions as State Heritage, a move designed to legally protect and preserve the state’s diverse cultural identity for future generations.

The declaration, made under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011, covers a broad spectrum of cultural expressions including performing arts, martial arts, language, literature, and beliefs. By bringing these elements under the protection of state law, the government aims to ensure that these traditions are not lost to time or modernization, but are actively maintained and passed down through the generations.

The initiative reflects a broader regional and national trend where governments are increasingly recognizing that cultural preservation is not merely about saving old buildings, but about keeping the living practices of communities alive.

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai provided the details of the new designations, listing the seven newly recognised heritage elements. These include the Teong Guan Phor Thor Festival, Boria, Ghazal Parti, Penang Bangsawan, Silat Pelaga: Siku 12, Penang Dondang Sayang, and the Penang Hokkien dialect.

Each of these traditions represents a distinct facet of Penang’s multicultural society, ranging from religious festivals and musical forms to martial arts disciplines and local linguistic variations. The inclusion of the Penang Hokkien dialect is particularly notable, as it highlights the importance of language as a carrier of cultural memory and identity in a multilingual society.

In addition to the intangible cultural traditions, Wong announced that six physical sites had undergone assessment for designation as Heritage Sites under the same enactment. These sites are Loo Pun Hong Temple, the Upper Station, Lower Station and railway tracks of the Penang Hill Funicular Railway, the Dato Koyah Mausoleum, Thai Pak Koong Temple (Ng Suk) on King Street, the Fooi Chew Association Building, and Kwangtung and Tengchow No. 1 Cemetery.

The inclusion of the Penang Hill Funicular Railway stations and tracks underscores the historical significance of infrastructure in shaping the state’s development and tourism profile. The temples and cemeteries, meanwhile, reflect the deep religious and ancestral roots of the various ethnic communities that have settled in Penang over the centuries.

The ceremony was officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who attended alongside Mohamad Muda Bahadin, the director-general of the National Heritage Department and Heritage Commissioner. The presence of the federal heritage authority’s head at the state-level event signals a collaborative approach to heritage conservation, aligning state initiatives with national standards and objectives.

Chow’s participation also highlighted the political priority placed on cultural preservation within the state government’s agenda, linking heritage protection to broader economic and social goals.

Chow described Penang as a unique “living museum,” a metaphor that captures the state’s dense concentration of historical architecture, traditional villages, religious sites, and cultural landscapes. He emphasized that this physical heritage is inseparable from the intangible elements, such as the languages, food, performing arts, and customs that shape the state’s character and identity.

According to Chow, the recognition of these intangible elements underscores that heritage conservation extends beyond historic buildings and sites to include the intangible heritage, which he described as the soul of the community. This perspective challenges the traditional view of heritage as static and material, instead framing it as a dynamic and living aspect of community life.

The Chief Minister further outlined the government’s strategy to add value to this heritage through various initiatives. He stated that the state aims to leverage festivals, heritage walks, gastronomy, digitalisation, and creative economy activities to enhance the tourist experience. These efforts are intended not only to attract visitors but also to create opportunities for young people, arts practitioners, and local entrepreneurs.

By integrating heritage with the creative economy, the government seeks to generate sustainable economic benefits from cultural assets, ensuring that preservation efforts are supported by commercial viability and community engagement.

The economic impact of these cultural and heritage initiatives is already evident in Penang’s tourism statistics. Chow noted that the state’s tourism sector continued to show positive momentum, recording 967,742 international hotel guests in the first quarter of this year. This figure indicates a strong demand for Penang as a destination, driven in part by its unique cultural offerings.

Additionally, Penang International Airport recorded 2.65 million international passenger movements from January to July, representing an increase of 11.1% compared with the same period last year. These figures suggest that the state’s reputation as a cultural and tourist hub is growing, with international visitors increasingly drawn to its blend of history, culture, and modern amenities.

The expansion of the State Heritage list brings the total number of declared intangible cultural heritage items to 35, as of September last year. This total comprises 28 types of heritage food, one literary language, three cultural customs, two beliefs, and one martial art. The dominance of heritage food in the list reflects the central role of cuisine in Penang’s cultural identity and tourism appeal.

The addition of the seven new elements will further diversify this portfolio, ensuring that a wider range of cultural practices are protected and promoted. The state has also designated 15 sites as Heritage Sites under the enactment, providing legal protection to key physical landmarks and historical locations.

The declaration of these new heritage elements and sites is part of a broader effort to manage and conserve Penang’s cultural resources in a structured and sustainable manner. The Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011 provides the legal framework for this process, allowing the state government to identify, declare, and protect heritage items and sites.

By expanding the list of protected elements, the government is strengthening the legal basis for conservation efforts and ensuring that these assets are preserved for future generations. The involvement of the National Heritage Department in the ceremony also highlights the importance of coordination between state and federal authorities in heritage management.

The focus on intangible heritage is particularly significant in the context of rapid urbanization and globalization, which can erode traditional practices and cultural identities. By legally recognizing and protecting these traditions, the Penang state government is sending a clear message that cultural diversity is a valuable asset that must be safeguarded.

The inclusion of elements such as the Penang Hokkien dialect and Silat Pelaga: Siku 12 demonstrates a commitment to preserving not only the more visible aspects of culture, such as festivals and food, but also the less tangible aspects, such as language and martial arts, that are equally important to community identity.

The economic implications of this heritage strategy are substantial. By linking heritage conservation to the creative economy and tourism, the government is creating a model where cultural preservation drives economic growth. The increase in international hotel guests and airport passenger movements suggests that this strategy is already yielding results.

As Penang continues to develop as a tourist destination, the protection and promotion of its cultural heritage will be crucial in maintaining its unique appeal and competitive advantage in the regional tourism market.

The ceremony also served as a platform to highlight the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders in heritage conservation. The presence of the Chief Minister, the State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman, and the National Heritage Department director-general underscores the multi-agency approach to managing Penang’s cultural assets. This collaboration is essential for ensuring that heritage conservation efforts are comprehensive, well-funded, and effectively implemented.

The government’s commitment to adding value to heritage through digitalisation and creative economy activities also indicates a forward-looking approach that leverages modern technology and innovation to enhance cultural experiences.

In conclusion, the declaration of seven new intangible cultural traditions and six heritage sites in Penang marks a significant milestone in the state’s heritage conservation efforts. By legally protecting these elements, the government is ensuring that Penang’s rich cultural heritage is preserved for future generations while also leveraging it for economic and social benefits.

The positive tourism statistics and the government’s strategic focus on the creative economy suggest that this approach is not only culturally significant but also economically viable. As Penang continues to grow and develop, the balance between modernization and heritage preservation will remain a key challenge, but the recent declarations provide a strong foundation for managing this balance effectively.

The state’s unique position as a “living museum” offers a model for other regions seeking to integrate cultural preservation with sustainable development.

Related: National Heritage Department · Chow Kon Yeow · Penang