THE Penang government has initiated the Penang Centennial Heritage Excellence Award to recognise and honour the outstanding contributions of dedicated organisations, associations, societies, educational institutions, businesses, services, or related groups that have propelled Penang’s excellence in the past century.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said the event is organised in collaboration with the Penang State Heritage Commissioner Office as the Secretariat of the Award Nominations.
“The nominees must have been established for at least 100 years (as of this year) and are still in operation at the time of nomination.
“Those nominated must be established and/or have a presence primarily based in Penang. Entities established abroad with operations based in Penang for at least 100 years are also eligible.
“Any individuals or groups may send in applications to nominate any organisations, associations, societies, educational institutions, businesses, services, or related groups. They can also self-nominate.
“Registration is free, and the nomination process is now open,” he told a media conference in Komtar today.
He added that the nominations will be reviewed by the panel of jury.
Yeoh said that the successful nominees would be presented with a plaque and certificate. They will also be given priority in any Penang cultural tourism promotional activities.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said Penang has two state heritage treasures that have obtained international recognition – namely the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site, and the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve.
“Those two are the treasures of Penang, apart from 11 buildings which have also been gazetted as heritage buildings under the National Heritage Act 2005. The heritage recognition does not end with just a recognition letter. It also requires continuous preservation and conservation management.
“The Penang government, through its relevant agencies, has always been striving to elevate and uphold the state’s heritage.
“The gazetting of the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011 and the Penang Heritage Regulations 2016 is a step taken by the Penang government to uplift and preserve the cultural heritage of the state,” Chow said.
Chow added that the state believed that many Penang cultural heritages deserve recognition following their contributions to the development of the state and the country.
The deadline for the Penang Centennial Heritage Excellence Award is Sept 30 at 5pm.
Nomination forms can be downloaded at https://www.penang.gov.my/index.php/warisan-permohonan#borang-pencalonan
E-mail to [email protected] or call 04-650 5764 (Secretariat of Award Nominations at Penang State Heritage Commissioner Office) for more details.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat