GEORGE TOWN: The state government has fought hard for the hawker culture here to be nominated into Unesco's “Intangible Cultural Heritage” list, says the Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman.
Yeoh Soon Hin, however, said that Penang has a long way to go in getting Unesco to recognise its hawker culture the same way Singapore did earlier this week.
"Singapore was way ahead in its nomination and Penang could not do so on its own, as the Federal Government has to make the application to Unesco.
“The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry responded to us last year by saying it was ‘too premature’ to nominate Malaysian hawker culture as further in-depth studies were needed.