Penang:The Penang state government has officially declared seven new intangible cultural heritage items as state heritage. These items span various aspects of culture, including performing arts, martial arts, language and literature, and beliefs.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the declaration was made under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011 as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the state's heritage for future generations. Wong Hon Wai, chairman of the State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee, announced the newly recognized items the Teong Guan Phor Thor Festival, Boria, Ghazal Parti, Penang Bangsawan, Silat Pelaga Siku 12, Penang Dondang Sayang, and the Penang Hokkien dialect.
The recognition ceremony was officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, with National Heritage Department director-general and Heritage Commissioner Mohamad Muda Bahadin in attendance. In addition to the intangible heritage items, six sites have also been designated as Heritage Sites following a thorough assessment process. These include the Loo Pun Hong Temple, Penang Hill Funicular Railway's Upper and Lower Stations and tracks, Dato Koyah Mausoleum, Thai Pak Koong Temple (Ng Suk) on King Street, Fooi Chew Association Building, and Kwangtung and Tengchow No 1 Cemetery.
As of last September, Penang had declared 35 intangible cultural heritage items as State Heritage, including 28 heritage foods, one literary language, three cultural customs, two beliefs, and one martial art. Additionally, 15 sites have been designated Heritage Sites under the same enactment.
Chief Minister Chow described Penang as a 'living museum' that showcases its unique architecture, traditional villages, religious sites, cultural landscapes, languages, food, performing arts, and customs. He emphasized that heritage conservation efforts are not limited to physical sites but also include intangible heritage that forms the community's soul.
Chow also highlighted the value-added potential through festivals, heritage walks, gastronomy, digitalization, and creative economy activities, which can enhance tourist experiences and create opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Penang's tourism sector remains robust, with 967,742 international hotel guests recorded in the first quarter of this year and 2.65 million international passenger movements at Penang International Airport from January to July, reflecting an 11.1% increase from the previous year.
In health tourism, Penang hosted 285,400 medical tourists in the first half of 2026, generating RM601.8 million in revenue, showcasing the state's appeal as an international destination that combines medical services with cultural and community experiences.