South-East Asia seeks global recognition for 'special' kebaya craft

An employee poses with traditional kebaya tops at a store in Jakarta. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand jointly nominated kebayas for the Unesco intangible cultural heritage list, with the decision expected in late 2024. Photo: AFP

In a Malaysian boutique, a small group of seamstresses sit at clattering sewing machines, stitching bright flowers and leaves into kebayas, traditional blouses worn by women around South-East Asia.

What makes kebayas special is that they are worn by women of all ethnic backgrounds in a diverse region, according to Lim Yu Lin, who co-runs the family business her grandmother founded in 1955.