Malaysia names foods, cultural traditions and historic objects as national heritage
The 2026 recognition covers 69 items, including 39 already declared and 30 that will be gazetted later.
Malaysia’s National Heritage recognition for 2026 covers 69 items, Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man announced on November 6. He said declarations had been completed for 39, while gazettal would follow for the other 30.
The recognition encompasses objects, cultural traditions and people honoured through the Living National Heritage Award (WAKOH). Chiew named mi kolok, kek lapis and uthappam among the foods recognised.
Certificates, ministry incentives and cash awards of RM20,000 each will go to 11 heritage figures. They include keringkam embroiderer Salbiah Muhi, Kelantan shadow puppetry practitioner Che Mohd Nasir Yusoff, and Siow Ho Phiew for his work in lion dance performances and crafting lion heads.
Among 16 objects given heritage status are parliamentary maces: the Dewan Rakyat’s dates to 1952, while the Dewan Negara’s was used in 1966. Recognition also covers a Quran manuscript from Terengganu and the table used when Tunku Abdul Rahman chaired the first Cabinet meeting.
Items still awaiting gazettal include Adat Berkadim, the Gawai Dayak Festival and the pending, an ornamental Malay belt buckle. Foods in that group include pasembur, nasi kandar and kacang pool.
Chiew said recognised heritage would qualify for legal protection, preservation priority and government conservation support. Under the National Heritage Act 2005 [Act 645], the Heritage Commissioner handles research, screening and technical assessments, but the minister holds the authority to make declarations.
