Malaysia declares 69 items National Heritage, from ‘mi kolok’ to Dewan Rakyat mace

‘Mi kolok’ is a dry rice noodle dish from Sarawak. — Bernama pic

First Published: Friday, 06 Nov 2026 6:01 PM MYT

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 6 — A total of 69 heritage items have been recognised as National Heritage 2026, including uthappam, mi kolok and kek lapis, popular foods that reflect Malaysia’s cultural diversity, Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man said.

In a statement marking the Sixth National Heritage Declaration 2026, he said 39 heritage items had been declared to date, while a further 30 would be gazetted later.

“The total includes heritage items recognised as part of efforts to preserve and protect the nation’s heritage, covering tangible and intangible heritage as well as recipients of the Living National Heritage Award (WAKOH),” he said.

A total of 11 figures were also recognised and would receive National Heritage certificates, RM20,000 in cash and incentives from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac), he said.

Those honoured included Che Mohd Nasir Yusoff for his efforts in Kelantan shadow puppetry, Salbiah Muhi for keringkam embroidery, and Siow Ho Phiew for lion dance performances and lion head craftsmanship.

Sixteen heritage objects were also accorded National Heritage status, including the Terengganu Quran manuscript, the Dewan Rakyat mace dating from 1952, the Dewan Negara mace used in 1966, and the table used for the first Cabinet meeting chaired by Tunku Abdul Rahman.

“The remaining 30 heritage items will be gazetted in due course. They include the Gawai Dayak Festival, the Adat Berkadim (joining a ritual practice) and the pending (Malay ornamental belt buckle).

“The list also features traditional Malaysian dishes such as kacang pool, nasi kandar, apam Johol, kuih chang, char kue kak and pasembur,” he said.

Other items on the cultural heritage list are Malaysian Breakfast Culture, Tadau Kaamatan (annual harvest festival), Baba Nyonya wedding customs, Tahnik (a traditional Islamic practice of touching a newborn baby’s palate with a softened date or honey), copper craft, traditional clogs, tajau (heirloom jar), sompoton (Sabah mouth organ), Kain Punca Potong (handwoven textile fabric), Kain Limar Tenggarung (Malay traditional woven textile), Baju Sikap (royal outer coat), Hikayat Puteri Saadong, the Mahsuri Legend, the Legend of Puteri Santubong and Tuhfat Al-Nafis (19th-century Malay historical chronicle).

Chiew said the declaration of National Heritage is an important legal responsibility under the National Heritage Act 2005 [Act 645], which entrusts the Heritage Commissioner with screening, research and technical assessments.

“However, the law stipulates that the final authority to declare an item as National Heritage rests with the Minister.

“This mandate carries great significance. The declaration is not merely about conferring a name or title, but represents the highest form of recognition by the federal government,” he said, noting that all National Heritage items would enjoy legal protection, be prioritised in preservation efforts and receive government support for conservation.

Chiew also emphasised that tourism centred on cultural heritage could generate income for arts practitioners, craft businesses and local communities.

“However, efforts to develop this potential must go hand in hand with preserving the authenticity and value of our heritage,” he said. — Bernama