KUALA LUMPUR — The Teong Guan Phor Thor Festival, also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, has been officially recognised as a Penang State Heritage, making it the first festival to receive such recognition from the state.
The declaration took effect on June 25, with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow saying the move reflected the state government’s commitment to preserving Penang’s traditions and cultural diversity, Bernama reported.
Chow said the state government approved the festival’s nomination as state heritage on April 8 before it underwent a screening process and evaluation by experts.
“This recognition is not merely to preserve and conserve a traditional practice, but also to elevate the diversity of festivals celebrated by our multiracial society as part of Penang’s identity.
“In Penang, there are more than 200 groups all over celebrating this festival during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar,” he told a press conference on the gazettement of state heritage at Komtar today.
Meanwhile, Chow said the state government had also approved the designation of six locations as heritage sites under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011 on April 8.
The sites are the Upper and Lower Stations and Funicular Railway Track of Penang Hill; Makam Dato Koyah; Thai Pak Koong Temple; Fooi Chew Association Building; Loo Pun Hong Temple; and Kwangtung and Tengchow No. 1 Cemetery.
He said the Hungry Ghost Festival and the six heritage sites would be formally declared and designated during the State Heritage Proclamation and Heritage Site Designation Ceremony on October 10.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who was also present, said the seven new recognitions brought the total number of state heritage items recognised this year to 57.
He said the figure comprised 15 heritage sites, 28 food heritage items and seven intangible cultural heritage listings, including the six sites and one festival announced today. – September 3, 2026