KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is hoping that the directive for federal civil servants to wear batik on Thursdays will include Sabah's traditional pattern.
Its Youth chief Christopher Mandut, in supporting the federal government's initiative, said: "We have more than 30 ethnic groups, with various interesting and meaningful traditional patterns in terms of customs and culture,"
He said every tribe in Sabah possessed its own distinct traditional pattern, which can be incorporated into Sabah batik to showcase the state's rich diversity.
Christopher suggested that the state government allowed the state civil servants to wear both batik and Sabah's traditional patterned shirts.
He said the effort was aligned with PBS' struggle to prioritise racial diversity and preserving traditional local culture.
In addition, he said, such efforts could help the local economy and become an attraction to tourists.
"I believe that with this effort, traditional patterns in Sabah are not only seen during the harvest festival but throughout the year and worn by all races.
"Therefore, I suggest that the concept and design of Sabah batik shirts be introduced and initiated at the state government level.
"I believe it will be widely welcomed in addition to helping Sabah's traditional clothing and batik businesses grow more rapidly," he said.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in a statement on Wednesday said civil servants will now be allowed to wear batik to work daily following the increase in temperatures at all government premises.
The temperature increase move was part of the government's energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint initiatives.
"The decision aims to provide comfort to civil servants to adjust to the change in temperatures, supporting energy efficiency initiatives as well as promoting the local batik industry," he was quoted as saying.
The Public Servant Department (PSD) director-general, Datul Dr Zulkapli Mohamed issued a directive to all federal civil servants to don Malaysian batik on Thursday, while wearing batik on other working days was also encouraged.