Penang has become the first state in Malaysia to officially recognise the Teong Guan Phor Thor, better known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, as state heritage.
The recognition took effect on June 25 as part of efforts to preserve the festival’s traditions and celebrate Penang’s cultural diversity.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government approved the festival’s nomination on April 8 before it underwent screening and assessment by experts.
“This recognition is not merely about preserving and conserving a traditional practice, but also elevating the diversity of celebrations among our multiracial communities as part of Penang’s identity,” he said after the state heritage gazettement ceremony here today.
Chow said more than 200 groups across Penang organise Hungry Ghost Festival celebrations during the seventh lunar month, with the events jointly driven by local communities and traders under the coordination of area leaders or relevant committees.
Penang had previously gazetted several intangible cultural heritage elements and unique traditions, including nasi kandar culture, kopitiam culture, Thaipusam and Chingay processions, the St Anne’s Feast in Bukit Mertajam, and the Penang Tanjong dialect on Jan 22.
The state also gazetted the martial art Nillaikalakki Silambam as heritage on May 7.
Meanwhile, the state government approved six sites to be designated as heritage sites under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011 on April 8.
The six sites are the Upper Station, Lower Station and Funicular Railway of Penang Hill; Makam Dato’ Koyah; Thai Pak Koong Temple; Fooi Chew Association Building; Loo Pun Hong Temple; and Kwangtung and Tengchow No. 1 Cemetery.
Chow said the formal gazettement process for the six sites was currently being handled by the State Legal Adviser’s Office.
He added that the Hungry Ghost Festival and the six sites would be formally declared and designated at the State Heritage Declaration and Heritage Site Designation Ceremony on Oct 10.
Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the seven latest recognitions brought the total number of items elevated as state heritage in Penang this year to 57.
The figure comprises 15 heritage sites, 28 food heritage elements and seven intangible cultural heritage elements, including the latest six sites and one festival.
