BUKIT MERTAJAM, Oct 8: Penang has nominated its “nasi kandar” as one of 10 traditional dishes for recognition by the National Heritage Department as a national heritage as part of efforts to preserve the state’s rich culinary legacy.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the other dishes are pasembor, char kue kak, mi hokkien, mi jawa, oh chien, mi udang, mi sotong, kerabu bihun, and roti benggali.
“The nomination was recently submitted to the National Heritage Department and is undergoing evaluation before the dishes are officially recognised as National Heritage.
“This gazettement effort is vital, not only to preserve the state’s culinary heritage passed down through generations, but also to ensure Penang’s world-renowned gastronomy continues to be protected, promoted and celebrated for future generations,” he told reporters after officiating the Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Permatang Pauh campus here today. National Heritage Department director-general and Heritage Commissioner Mohamad Muda Bahadin was also present.
Wong expressed hope that more of Penang’s traditional food will be recognised as national heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Muda said the 10 dishes have passed the expert committee’s evaluation and will be declared as national heritage soon.
“Among the criteria assessed is that the dish must still be produced by the local community in the state. Most importantly, when recognising a heritage food, it is the community itself that plays a vital role in keeping the dish alive,” he said.
According to him, 213 traditional dishes from various states and ethnic groups in Malaysia have been recognised as national heritage, including char koay teow, kuih angku, pulut tekan with seri kaya, laksa, pie tee, and gerang asam.
Themed “Upholding Culinary Heritage”, the biennial two-day conference, organised by the department, serves as a platform for experts, government agencies, academics, industry players, and communities to share insights and ideas on safeguarding Malaysia’s intangible cultural heritage.
–BERNAMA