Uthappam has been officially declared a National Heritage item alongside traditional arts and historic artefacts at the sixth National Heritage Declaration Ceremony, with Nasi Kandar and Pasembur set to follow.
PETALING JAYA: Uthappam, a South Indian rice-and-lentil pancake, has been declared National Heritage ahead of Deepavali, while Nasi Kandar and Pasembur are among 30 other items approved for gazettement.
Uthappam was among 39 items recognised at the sixth National Heritage Declaration Ceremony held at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) on Nov 5.
The National Heritage Orders for the 39 items were published in the Federal Gazette on Oct 21.
Together with another 30 items awaiting gazettement, the latest recognition brings the total to 69, covering tangible and intangible heritage as well as recipients of the National Living Heritage (WAKOH) recognition.
Nasi Kandar, a Penang rice dish served with an assortment of curries, and Pasembur, a salad of fritters served with peanut sauce, are among 24 items whose orders have been approved by the Attorney General’s Chambers and are awaiting publication in the Gazette.
Both dishes, which were popularised by Indian Muslim hawkers, were gazetted as state heritage in Penang earlier this year.
Food and cultural artefacts
Besides Uthappam, the newly declared food heritage items include Mi Kolok, Kuih Genggang or Kuih Lapis, Burasak, Nasi Ambeng, Dodol Kukus Tahi Minyak, Kuih Karas, Jeruk Tuhau, Bak Kut Teh and Air Katira.
Traditional performances such as Tarian Singa (lion dance) and Tarian Naga (dragon dance) were also included.
Sixteen objects were declared National Heritage, among them four Quran manuscripts from Terengganu, the Dewan Rakyat mace dating back to 1952, the Dewan Negara mace from 1966 and the Cabinet table used during meetings chaired by Malaysia’s first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.
Other items include the special pen used to sign the 1957 Federation of Malaya Agreement, the Merdeka 1957 table, the Malaysia Declaration 1963 table and the first Federation of Malaya flag.
11 practitioners recognised
Eleven practitioners were named National Living Heritage figures, each receiving a recognition certificate, an ex gratia payment of RM20,000 and incentives from MOTAC.
They include Che Mohd Nasir Yusoff for Kelantan shadow puppetry, Salbiah Muhi for keringkam embroidery and Siow Ho Phiew for lion dance and lion-head making.
The other recipients are:
- Che Wan Noor Saidi Che Wan Abdul Rahman (Saba performance)
- Che Mat Jusoh (Makyung)
- Masruh Siadik (Isun-isun literary art)
- Razali Yu (Sarawak Malay drum performance)
- Toh Ai Hwa (Teochew iron-rod puppetry)
- Zubaidah Sual (classical Malay costume and textiles)
- Bangie Embol (pua weaving)
- Jainal Sakiban (Jawi calligraphy)
30 more items awaiting gazettement
The remaining 30 items include Kacang Pool, Apam Johol, Kuih Chang, Char Kue Kak, Budaya Sarapan Malaysia (breakfast culture), Tadau Kaamatan, Gawai Day celebrations, Baba Nyonya wedding customs, Hikayat Puteri Saadong, the Mahsuri legend and Tuhfat al-Nafis.
The 1967 ASEAN Declaration is also among the items awaiting gazettement.
Legal protection for heritage
Deputy Minister Chiew Choon Man said the declaration was a statutory responsibility under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645).
He said the Heritage Commissioner was responsible for screening, researching and technically assessing potential heritage items, while the final authority to declare an item as National Heritage rested with the Minister.
Chiew described the recognition as the Federal Government’s highest form of acknowledgement for heritage, adding that declared items would receive legal protection, priority for preservation and support for conservation efforts.
He said heritage tourism could also create income opportunities for artists, craftspeople and local communities, provided the authenticity of cultural practices and products was preserved.
Safeguarding the country’s heritage required cooperation among federal, state and local authorities, heritage owners, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and communities, he added.
MOTAC would continue supporting knowledge-sharing initiatives to help practitioners pass their skills and traditions on to younger generations.
