KUALA LUMPUR: The Tunku Azizah Handmade Market (TTAHM) Online platform, which was launched to help local handicraft entrepreneurs market their own products a year ago, now has 100 online sellers on its platform.
Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah today celebrated the 100 craft entrepreneurs in a virtual ceremony in conjunction with the platform's one-year anniversary themed, "Bersama Kita Boleh!" (Together We Can!)
TTAHM Online was launched by Tunku Azizah on Feb 27, 2020. The craft entrepreneurs are mostly from the B40 category, comprising of single mothers, housewives, the elderly, and other crafters in the country who are registered under the Malaysian Creative Sewing Arts Association (PSJKM) with Tunku Azizah as its patron.
Her majesty said the move by PSJKM to form the online platform was timely seeing the Covid-19 pandemic situation had made it hard for craft entrepreneurs to earn an income as they had done before, by opening stalls to sell to tourists.
"The platform not only offers space for handicraft activists to market unlimited products up to the international level, but they are also guided on all aspects of online business trade.
"Nowadays, mastering the knowledge of the selling online is important as there are some constraints to doing business offline due to this pandemic situation," she said.
Tunku Azizah also congratulated the top three winners of the Malaysia Best Handmade Crafter competition, Siti Nor Hanir Zanar Misro who received first place followed by Mohd Ihsan Bin Mohd Saidi and Sweelane Mundun Tugang.
"I would also like to congratulate all Malaysia Best Handmade Crafter competition participants for your good work.
"Your involvement is very much appreciated and I hope you continue to be passionate about fighting for the country's creative sewing and craft industry," she said.
On the inaugural Malaysia Best Handmade Crafter competition, PSJKM chairman Fully Chye Goet Lee said it was organised to further boost the craft sector and motivate the group of handicraft makers who are currently struggling to stay afloat in the market.
"We received great response from the participants of all ages who are masters of diverse handicrafts from all over the country. The association will make this competition an annual event," she said.
Fully said the TTAHM Online platform is unique because it consists of handicraft makers and artists from various backgrounds including people with disabilities (OKU) and non-governmental organisations such as Badan Kebajikan Keluarga Angkatan Tentera (BAKAT) who acquired the skills to produce quality handmade products.
"PSJKM also guided the craft pioneers on the aspects of online business and encouraged them to utilise virtual means to sell their products.
"There are gift card packages available for corporate companies, government and private organisations who are interested in purchasing handmade souvenir products and at the same time they can support and help craft workers under TTAHM Online.
"There are more than 700 handicraft products sold online including handbags, home decoration products, personal care products and various creative sewing products," she said.
Meanwhile, Yayasan Innovatif Mostwell, a strategic partner of PSJKM donated 79 sewing machines at the virtual event to the Polytechnics and Community Colleges Department (16 community colleges and one polytechnic) for outstanding students from the B40 group majoring in fashion and clothing.
Those who are interested in getting handmade souvenir products by the crafters of The Tunku Azizah Handmade Market can visit the official website at www.sewingworld.com.my.