Nasi kandar and mi kolok among 69 items named National Heritage

Nasi kandar, mi kolok and the 1952 Dewan Rakyat mace are among 69 items named National Heritage this year. Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Chiew Choon Man announced the 2026 declaration. He did so in a statement on 6 November. It adds to the country’s record of heritage worth protecting.

The statement was issued from Putrajaya. Of the 69 items, 39 have been declared so far. The other 30 will be gazetted later, though no date was given. Together they cover foods, objects, customs, legends and people.

Overall, here is what is on the list, who and what was honoured, and how the process works.

Foods and customs on the list

The food items include nasi kandar, mi kolok, kek lapis and kacang pool. Uthappam, apam Johol, kuih chang, char kue kak and pasembur are also listed. Moreover, Malaysian Breakfast Culture is named as a practice in its own right.

In addition, several festivals and customs made the list. These include Tadau Kaamatan, Baba Nyonya wedding customs and Tahnik. Likewise, the sompoton and the Baju Sikap are on the list.

Three legends are also included. They are Hikayat Puteri Saadong, the Mahsuri Legend and the Legend of Puteri Santubong. In addition, the text Tuhfat Al-Nafis is on the list.

Some items are still to come. The Gawai Dayak Festival and Adat Berkadim are among the 30 awaiting gazette. Therefore, the final list will be longer than the first batch of 39. Together, the items span food, craft, custom, text and objects.

Objects and people honoured

Sixteen heritage objects received protected status. That brings legal protection and conservation support. For example, one is the Terengganu Quran manuscript. Others include the 1952 Dewan Rakyat mace and the 1966 Dewan Negara mace. The two maces belong to the two houses of Parliament.

The table used at the first Cabinet meeting chaired by Tunku Abdul Rahman is also on the list. As a result, objects tied to the early parliamentary years now have formal protection. A Penang State Museum branch recently opened at Jalan Macalister for similar items.

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Eleven individuals were also recognised. Each receives a certificate and RM20,000 in cash. In addition, they receive incentives from the ministry.

How the process works and what is next

The declaration comes under the National Heritage Act 2005. The Heritage Commissioner handles screening, research and assessment. The final declaration rests with the minister.

Chiew said listed items get legal protection and priority in preservation. They also get government conservation support. Furthermore, he cited cultural tourism as a source of income. Listed foods and customs may therefore draw visitors.

The 30 remaining items will be gazetted in due course. The statement gives no date. Moreover, it does not say when the next declaration will be made. Therefore, readers should watch the ministry for the notice.

In short, 69 items are now protected heritage, with 39 declared and 30 to follow. Watch for the gazette notice on the rest, including the Gawai Dayak Festival.

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