LONDON: The Royal Pahang Weave (Tenun Pahang Diraja) yesterday made a regal debut in one of the world's fashion capital when some of the finest and exquisite woven pieces were shown at the Tenun Pahang DiRaja exhibition as part of the London Craft Week.
The exhibition, themed 'Weaving Hope', is being held at the Malaysian High Commission office in Belgrave Square from 9th May to 15th May. It was officially opened by the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, patron of Yayasan Tenun Pahang Diraja.
Her Majesty, looking resplendent in a peach outfit made from textile woven by inmates from Bentong, was a walking testimonial of the product of her passion, borne out of hope to revive a dying art.
Beaming with pride while looking at the colourful pieces hanging on the walls of the High Commission which had been transformed beyond recognition into an exhibition hall complete with loom known as Kei Siam.
Her Majesty gesturing to prison wardens and a former inmate who had been flown in for the exhibition, exclaimed, "This is my gesture of appreciation to them! I am happy for the prisons and the prisoners!"
If Her Majesty had uttered those words of appreciation a hundred times, it would still have not been enough. The inmates and wardens of Bentong and Penor prisons in Pahang have been instrumental in reviving a thousand year old tradition of weaving in Pahang. And with that rekindle hopes not just for the survival of the art but also for those weavers whose hopes had died the day they went behind bars.
In her speech to a crowded audience at the opening, Her Majesty was flanked by prison wardens from Bentong and Penor and Penjara Malaysia, yet another tribute to them for their support and cooperation; a small corner for two weavers in one prison some years ago had expanded to accommodate more, the number of weavers had grown from just 15, 16 years ago to around 200. This is the realisation of hope.
In her speech, she had not forgotten her 'friends' who wove from morning till evening, behind bars of the two prisons, friends who she sat down with, a notebook of designs in her hand and most times with food that she had brought from home for them.
These people and the art they were reviving were entwined hopes, woven together for survival.
While her falling in love with the Pahang tenun pieces that she saw while searching for fabrics to make dresses to launch her cookbook was accidental, the journey to London was much more carefully planned.
"From the prisons of Bentong and Penor to London, a big leap for the inmates," she said, even if they were only represented by the pieces they had woven.
A meeting with Guy Salter, founder of LCW last year, who invited Yayasan Tenun Pahang Diraja to participate in the festival, made possible the realisation of the dream that these exquisite pieces in some very unique and breathtaking colours, are exhibited for the world to see. And with that, the stories behind it.
"I would like the world to know about the work they do," said the Queen about the inclusion programme for inmates to prepare them for when they are released, for their sustainability.
"This is part of our preparations for the Perkampungan Al-Sultan Abdullah, which will be built in Pekan - a centre where all ex-prisoners can come to. We provide workshops to help them sell their goods," she said.
"This is our duty to guide them back to the right path."
Fifty two year old Md Ghafawi Mat Said, a former inmate, is living proof of how the training programme had benefited him. Without any knowledge of crafts or designs, Md Ghafawi or better known as Awie, learnt the techniques of weaving while doing his time. Now he is working with Her Majesty's company Cik Minah Sayang.
Skillfully mastering the loom under the gaze of visitors to the exhibition, Awie's piece on the loom revealed a Malaysian flag with the words London Craft Week (LCQ).
"I am feeling emotional seeing the Malaysian flag with London Craft Week woven next to each other" said Salter of LCW. He added, Her Royal Highness is indeed amazing!"
The Queen also voiced her appreciation to her husband, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, for his belief and confidence in her to see the programme to fruition.
Being showcased are textile pieces made by inmates from both prisons, Riau-Pahang baju kurung collections from the Pahang Museum as well as 20 pieces of 'samping'.
Visitors can also feast their eyes on the attire that Her Majesty wore during her installation as the Queen of Malaysia and other pieces worn during events at the palace.
Ambassador Zakri Jaafar, Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and other Malaysian dignitaries present also did their fair share of promoting the tenun pieces by wearing shirts, sampin and baju kurung made by the inmates.
Among dignitaries present during the launching ceremony today were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Zakri Jaafar, Prisons Department commissioner-general Datuk Nordin Muhammad, Kraftangan Malaysia director-general Aididah Ibrahim and Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is scheduled to have an audience with Her Majesty when he visit the LCW Tenun Pahang: Weaving Hope exhibition on Tuesday.
The prime minister, who is en route to Washington DC for the US-ASEAN Special Summit, is also scheduled to attend the Keluarga Malaysia Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration with Malaysians living in the United Kingdom.