By V. Sivaji
The Chocolate & Coffee Festival is currently underway at Gurney Plaza, offering coffee lovers the opportunity to explore and sample a wide variety of their favourite coffee brands.
The launch ceremony was officiated by State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai. He was accompanied by Peter Chan, General Manager of Gurney Plaza, Queensbay Mall and East Coast Mall, as well as Ms Renee Aw and members of the management team.
In his opening address, Wong said the Penang State Government is actively promoting Kopitiam Culture for recognition as the state’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
“I am delighted to officiate the opening of this festival. This event is designed to offer our community a delightful weekend experience, where the rich aroma of coffee and the silky sweetness of chocolate come together to create a warm, refreshing and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
“Coffee, with its distinctive aroma, has long been an indispensable part of Malaysians’ daily lives.
“In Malaysia, coffee culture continues to thrive. Data shows that Malaysia ranks among the leading countries in coffee consumption growth in the Asia-Pacific region, second only to South Korea and Australia,” Wong said.
He added that on Jan 22, 2026, the Penang State Government officially inscribed “Kopitiam Culture” on the Penang State Intangible Cultural Heritage List, affirming the cultural significance and heritage value of this unique way of life.
Following the launch ceremony, Wong and Chan toured the festival, visiting the various booths and sampling the wide range of coffee and chocolate products on display.