Penang gazettes 50 heritage items to boost world-class tourism status

Penang has taken a significant step to solidify its global standing as a heritage tourism hub by officially gazetting 50 of its unique heritage items. This initiative, undertaken under the Penang State Heritage Enactment, aims to preserve and promote the state's rich history, diverse culture, and distinct identity.

The gazetted items are categorized into three main groups: 15 heritage sites, seven intangible cultural heritage elements, and 28 iconic heritage foods. Among the prominent heritage sites are the Cherok Tok Kun Inscription, Fort Cornwallis, Guar Kepah Archaeological Site, Penang Free School, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Khoo Kongsi, and St. George's Church.

Representing the intangible cultural heritage are traditions like the nasi kandar culture, kopitiam culture, the Thaipusam and Chingay processions, the St. Anne's Feast in Bukit Mertajam, the Tanjong Pulau Pinang dialect, and the Indian martial art of Silambam. These elements offer a glimpse into the living heritage of Penang.

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Semua pewartaan ini bertujuan memastikan sejarah dan kepelbagaian budaya Pulau Pinang terus terpelihara, sekali gus mengukuhkan daya tarikan negeri ini sebagai destinasi pelancongan budaya bertaraf dunia

The culinary landscape is also celebrated, with 28 iconic Penang dishes now officially recognized as heritage foods. This list includes beloved items such as Penang Hokkien Mee, Roti Bengali, Char Koay Teow, Cendol, and Teh Tarik, showcasing the state's vibrant food scene.

Penang is actively pursuing international recognition for its heritage. The state is supporting joint nominations with Singapore for the Chingay procession and with China for the lion dance to be included in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Furthermore, Penang is involved in a proposed UNESCO World Heritage site nomination, "Historic Mercantile Settlements: George Town and the Indian Ocean," led by India, which includes the Kapitan Keling Mosque and Nagore Dargah in George Town. This proposal is currently in its early stages of review.

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Selain itu, Pulau Pinang juga terlibat dalam cadangan tapak Warisan Dunia UNESCO bertajuk ‘Historic Mercantile Settlements: George Town and the Indian Ocean’ yang diterajui India dengan penyertaan Masjid Kapitan Keling dan Nagore Dargah di George Town.