Penang heritage status may cover 1818 paintings and old maps

Penang heritage status may soon cover historical paintings, botanical drawings and old maps. The state plans to add a “heritage objects” category to its State Heritage Enactment 2011, The Star reported on Tuesday. The works include paintings from 1818 under the state museum board. The museum opened a new branch on Jalan Macalister this month.

State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the change is about a legal framework. It is not a list of items. He said the number of eligible paintings and specimens has not been decided.

Overall, here is what the change covers, what Penang has already listed and what happens next.

What the change covers

The 2011 enactment now protects sites and intangible heritage. The amendment would add objects as a third group. As a result, paintings, botanical specimens and old maps could receive state recognition.

The Star names three collections. The first is a set of 19th-century paintings by Captain Robert Smith, dated 1818, under the Penang State Museum Board. The second is a set of botanical illustrations by Charles Curtis, kept by the Penang Botanic Gardens Department. Old maps held by state agencies are the third.

Old coins were also mentioned as possible items. However, Wong gave no list of what would qualify. Therefore, nothing is protected yet.

State recognition has a second use. It would let the owner apply for national heritage status. Meanwhile, the amendment itself still has to be passed.

What Penang has already listed

Penang has listed 63 items in its state heritage register. The list has 28 food items, 14 other intangible items and 21 heritage sites. The latest batch came at the second declaration ceremony, which Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow attended in October.

That batch added seven intangible items, including Boria, Penang Bangsawan and Penang Dondang Sayang. The Penang Hokkien dialect was also declared. Moreover, the Hungry Ghost Festival is listed, which Wong said is a first in Malaysia.

Read more: Penang State Museum branch opens at Jalan Macalister

Read more: Sarawak wants Old Kuching made a heritage site like George Town

Read more: KL plans a 22km covered walkway and railway heritage revival

Six sites joined the register as well. They include the upper and lower stations and the funicular tracks of Penang Hill. Thai Pak Koong Temple on King Street and Loo Pun Hong Temple were also added.

Food is a large part of the list. Hokkien mee, yong tau foo and char koay teow are all named in it. Likewise, nasi kandar entered the Michelin Guide Penang for the first time this month.

What happens next

Wong spoke at the opening of a cultural exchange event at Sunshine Central Penang. The event ran under the China (Guangxi) – Malaysia Cultural Exchange Series. It showed lion dance, puppet theatre and Cantonese opera.

Malaysia and China are also seeking a joint UNESCO listing for the lion dance. The state wants recognition to reach beyond George Town into Seberang Perai. In addition, it invites the public to nominate more heritage.

Other states are making similar moves. For example, Sarawak wants Old Kuching made a heritage site like George Town. However, the Penang change is the first we have seen that covers objects.

In short, Penang heritage rules may soon cover paintings and maps. No date has been given for the amendment, and no item has been named for listing.

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