Penang is ramping up efforts to secure UNESCO recognition for two of its most iconic cultural traditions — the Chingay procession and the lion dance.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the state had gazetted 35 intangible cultural heritage items this year under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011, comprising seven cultural arts items and 28 traditional food heritage items.
Another heritage-related item — the Teong Guan Phor Thor festival — is undergoing the gazettement process.
Among the traditions and cultural icons gazetted are the Chingay procession, Thaipusam, the St Anne’s Festival, Tanjong dialect, nasi kandar culture and kopitiam culture, alongside Penang food staples such as char kuay teow, asam laksa, pasembor, cendol, roti canai and teh tarik.
Wong said all intangible cultural heritage items gazetted at the state level could be recommended for national recognition under the National Heritage Act 2005 before being considered for inclusion under UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
“The state government supported the nomination of the Chingay procession under UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity through a joint submission by Malaysia and Singapore in March 2025,” he said.
Wong said Penang was also supporting the nomination of the lion dance through a joint Malaysia-China submission to UNESCO made in the same month.
Responding to a question during the state legislative assembly sitting, Wong said the heritage push reflected Penang’s commitment to preserving and promoting its multicultural identity internationally.
He said Penang had actively showcased its living heritage through international festivals and cultural exchanges, including during Penang Week at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan, where the state highlighted kebaya fashion and Malaysia’s breakfast culture.
“The state government also organises the Chingay procession annually in George Town and Butterworth, and Penang was invited to participate in the Singapore Chingay Parade in 2025 and 2026,” he added.
Wong said Penang was also stepping up efforts to preserve traditional performing arts and martial arts heritage.
He said the Penang State Museum Board was organising the “Silat Siku 12” exhibition from March 3 to May 17 at the Macalister Road museum branch to promote local martial arts traditions.
“Silat itself has already been recognised as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage,” he said.
He added that intangible heritage traditions continued to be celebrated through major state events such as the George Town Festival, Butterworth Fringe Festival, Nibong Tebal Festival, George Town Heritage Day and Seberang Prai Heritage Day.
Wong said Penang’s heritage conservation efforts were not merely about preserving the past, but ensuring the state’s cultural identity remained vibrant and relevant for future generations.
Source: NST
