GEORGE TOWN: The Hungry Ghost Festival has been gazetted as Intangible Cultural Heritage while six sites have been approved for designation as heritage sites under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
This recognition makes Penang the first state to recognise the festival as State Heritage.
Known as Phor Thor in Hokkien, Chow said the recognition is not just about preserving and conserving a traditional practice but elevating the diversity of festivals celebrated by our multiracial society as part of Penang’s identity.
"We have taken the initiative to recognise this festival as part of the state's heritage.
"This is not only for preservation and conservation purposes but to promote the festivals of our multiracial society in the state.
"The initiative is carried out through the State Heritage Commissioner’s office to identify cultural heritage that reflects the state’s identity," he said during a press conference held at his office in Komtar on Thursday (Sept 3).
Chow said the festival is a month-long celebration during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
"It is followed by the Chinese community who practise Taoism and Buddhism in Penang.
"It involves rituals to honour ancestors, and wandering spirits believed to roam during the period.
"Throughout the festival, “Tai Su Yeah” (King of Hell) tents and opera performance stages are set up in public areas.
“In Penang, there are more than 200 groups in various places that organise the festival during the seventh month.
"In view of its historical and cultural value, the state government approved its nomination to be made part of the state’s heritage on April 8 this year (2026) and was gazetted effective June 25 (2026)," he said.
Chow said the nomination underwent detailed assessment by experts from the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Socio-Cultural) Committee before receiving endorsement from the State Heritage Council and approval at the state executive council meeting.
Chow said the state government approved the designation of six sites as Heritage Sites under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011 on April 8 as well.
“The six sites are - the Penang Hill Upper and Lower Funicular Stations as well as its tracks, the Datuk Koyah tomb, the Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple in Lebuh King, the Fooi Chew Association heritage building in Lorong Prangin, the Loo Pun Hong Temple in Lorong Love and Kwangtung and Tengchow No 1 cemetery in Jalan Mount Erskine,” he said.
Chow said the State Legal Adviser’s Office is handling the official gazettement process for the six sites.
He said the Hungry Ghost Festival and the six sites will be officially declared and designated at the State Heritage and Heritage Site Designation Ceremony on Oct 10 this year (2026).
Chow said the heritage nomination process is not limited to the State Heritage Commissioner’s office.
"It is open to heritage owners, associations and practitioners to make the nomination," he said.
