KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) has embarked on a campaign to bring exposure, awareness and knowledge to the public about Malaysian batik.
Kraftangan Malaysia senior director (design and research) Khairul Hafizi Naharuddin said Malaysian batik was defined as a fully or partially handcrafted art form that featured motifs reflecting the art and culture of the Malaysian community.
"It is created through the process of applying batik wax or other materials and using colour-resist techniques to produce pattern designs.
"Malaysian batik employs various techniques in the creation of batik, including canting painted batik, hand-block batik, filtered silk batik and alternative batik," he said at a media briefing in conjunction with the "Ini Batik Malaysia" campaign on Friday.
He said the allure of Malaysian batik extended beyond Kelantan and Terengganu, adding that it uniquely embodied cultural identity through the motifs and patterns that were specific to the ethnic communities of the region, prominently featuring Sarawak (Pua) and Sabah (Rungus).
Alternative batik entailed the use of alternative materials, including linut, clay and ecoprint batik methods, he added.
"Clay batik uses clay as the principal colour-blocking substance, and linut batik uses starch. In ecoprint batik, patterns and colours are produced on cloth through tapping and rolling processes using natural materials like leaves and flowers."
Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation deputy director-general (development) Abdul Halim Ali said the public was embracing Malaysian batik and that in the past, many relied on printed batik from neighbouring countries.
"Handmade Malaysian batik is like a fingerprint, with each piece being unique. Unlike mass-produced printed fabrics, the handmade fabrics could be uncomfortable and easily worn out."
He said Kraftangan Malaysia was broadening its selection of designs to better meet consumer tastes and budgetary demands.
"The use of alternatives has significantly sped up the production process for linut and clay, which have replaced traditional wax, known to be environmentally damaging."
The event also showcased briefing sessions, exhibitions and demonstrations of canting hand-drawn batik.
Kraftangan Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with three associations offering umrah packages. They are the Association of Umrah and Haj Travel Agents (Papuh), the Bumiputera Tourism Operating Companies Malaysia Association (Bumitra) and the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Matta).
The companies will promote Malaysian batik in the global arena and encourage Malaysian pilgrims to wear batik during their trips.
Among the items to be worn during the pilgrims' ziarah (visit) are shirts, telekung (prayer garment), jubah (long robe) and scarves.
The MoU also aims to assist 815 local batik entrepreneurs to develop their businesses.
Present at the signing were Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general Datuk Mohd Zamri Mat Zain and Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation director-general Ainu Sham Ramli.
Halim said in conjunction with the Batik Day celebration on Dec 3, Kraftangan Malaysia would sell its batik products at highly discounted prices at Karyaneka in Kompleks Kraf Kuala Lumpur.
"The five-day event from Nov 30 to Dec 4 will see the participation of more than 100 innovative entrepreneurs and activities aimed at promoting Malaysian batik." By Amalia Azmi