Penang book documents Kota Aur traditions as cultural tourism asset
A new book, Long Pah: The Living Heritage of Kota Aur, has captured the fading traditions of Kampung Kota Aur in Penang, positioning the village’s cultural heritage as a potential draw for international tourism.
Source: Buletin Mutiara · September 26, 2026 at 9:02 PM · AI-assisted report
Single-source
KUALA LUMPUR, 27 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
A new book, Long Pah: The Living Heritage of Kota Aur, has captured the fading traditions of Kampung Kota Aur in Penang, positioning the village’s cultural heritage as a potential draw for international tourism.
Market Impact
Launched today by Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, the publication centres on Puan Latifah Abdullah, known as Long Pah, who at 74 remains the oldest active homestay operator in the area. The book details her role as a community leader while preserving customs such as traditional cooking, weaving, and oral histories now at risk from urbanisation.
Wong said the project was more than an illustrated text, calling it an "important record of the community’s cultural journey" that could strengthen Penang’s profile as an international cultural tourism destination. The research was conducted by the Chrysalis Research Team from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Penang, with financial support from Think City.
The book includes firsthand accounts from Kampung Kota Aur residents, whose contributions formed its narrative. Wong noted that preserving such traditions was critical amid rapid modernisation, adding that the publication could serve as a reference for educational institutions and researchers.
For Malaysian business readers, the initiative highlights how cultural heritage can be leveraged as a niche tourism asset, complementing Penang’s established attractions. The next step will involve promoting the book to academic and cultural tourism stakeholders to expand its reach.