GEORGE TOWN, Nov 7 — Penang’s traditional performing arts master Che Mat Jusoh and Teochew iron-rod puppeteer Toh Ai Hwa were among the recipients of the Living National Heritage Award (Wakoh) this year.
Tourism and creative economy state exco Wong Hon Wai said the duo were among a total of 11 personalities from all over the country who were recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) under the Sixth National Heritage Declaration 2026.
He said there were others from Penang who have received the Wakoh recognition prior to this such as Omar Md Hashim for boria, Mohd Bahroodin Ahmad for boria, ronggeng and Penang baba and nyonya culture and Abu Bakar Jaafar, also for boria.
“These three were the 2023 recipients and this year, we have two recipients and Toh is the first Penang woman to ever receive the Wakoh award,” he said in his speech at the opening of the 2026 International Performing Arts Symposium and Puppetry Spectacular, Moved to Life: Tradition and Reinvention in Asian Puppet Theatre here today.
A total of 69 heritage items, including popular foods, have been declared as National Heritage 2026 and three of Penang’s foods were also listed.
Wong said Penang’s nasi kandar was declared as a national heritage alongside char koay kak and pasembur.
“So these three are the heritage food from Penang which have already been recognised by the Penang state government under the state heritage in January this year, and now, have been elevated to the national heritage status,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Heritage Department director-general Mohamad Muda Bahadin said the Wakoh recognition is not the end point.
“It should instead serve as a catalyst for efforts to pass on knowledge, provide training and involve a new generation,” he said in his speech.
“The survival of Teochew iron-rod puppetry requires more young practitioners, the documentation of knowledge and repertoire, the preservation of traditional music, and continuing opportunities for the art to be performed and learned,” he added.
He said the art form also reflects Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity.
“Although rooted in the traditions of the Teochew community, its development in Penang has made it part of the nation’s history and cultural treasures, which we should all appreciate,” he said.
He commended the Teochew Puppet and Opera House, especially Ling Goh, Toh’s daughter, for continuing her family’s legacy as a fourth-generation practitioner and introducing this art to the public through education, performances and creative collaborations.
“Today’s programme, which brings together traditional and contemporary puppetry practitioners from various countries, also provides an important opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and the continuation of heritage,” he said.
Among the highlights of the opening ceremony of the symposium at Penang Institute was a tribute to honour Toh’s achievement as an iron-rod puppeteer and a living national heritage.
The symposium, organised by the Teochew Puppet and Opera House, brought together traditional master puppeteers and contemporary artists from Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Taiwan and the United States for a two-day event today and tomorrow.
The symposium, running from 9am to 6pm on both days, features live performances, talks, artist discussions, demonstrations and hands-on workshops.
The opening ceremony started with Buka Panggung, a joint performance featuring four Malaysian puppetry traditions, namely Malay wayang kulit, string puppetry, Potehi glove puppetry and Teochew iron-rod puppetry.
Another highlight is the gathering of Teochew puppetry practitioners from Chaozhou in China, Hong Kong and Malaysia, including Chen Peisen, a nationally recognised master and representative inheritor of China’s Chaozhou iron-rod puppetry tradition.
The programme tomorrow will also include contemporary puppetry with artists such as India’s Anurupa Roy, award-winning American puppeteer Hobey Ford, Japan’s Erina Saji and Taiwan’s Cheng Chia-Yin.
Local groups including Iron Gang Puppet Theatre and Plasticity Theatre Troupe will also participate, while workshops will introduce visitors to object storytelling, Japanese Bunraku-style puppet manipulation and rod-puppet techniques.
There will be two nights of free outdoor puppetry performances at Armenian Park, from 8pm to 11pm, on November 7 and 8.
There will be a screening of the documentary Beyond the Branch followed by a traditional Puppet Battle, featuring wayang kulit, string puppetry, Potehi glove puppetry and Teochew iron-rod puppetry, at the park tonight.
The evening concludes at 10.30pm with Journey to the West: Peril at Gossamer Cave, presented by the Kim Giak Low Choon Teochew Puppet Troupe in collaboration with Filamen.
Tomorrow night, there will be an international showcase featuring traditional and contemporary puppeteers from Malaysia and abroad.
Among the performers are Iron Gang Puppet Theatre, Plasticity, Chen Peisen, Anurupa Roy, Erina Saji, Cheng Chia-Yin and Hobey Ford.
The festival will conclude with a special collaboration involving Roy, Ling Goh and puppeteer Low Zhi Kai.
