MORE public awareness is required to elevate the kelumpang flower as a natural heritage symbol for Perak.
Non-governmental organisation Ocean 9 Conservation Association president Raja Kamar Azhar Ahmed Siffudin said the flower had long been used by the Perak Sultanate as the state’s main motif.
“Following recent findings, a written decree by the former Perak Ruler, the late Sultan Idris II, stipulates that all palace invitations and Hari Raya greeting cards must feature the flower as their logo.
“The late Sultan Azlan Shah had also ordered the flower patterns to be on songket of all Orang-orang Besar Jajahan Perak during his tenure,” Raja Kamar Azhar said when opening “Program Jejak Kelumpang: Bunga Warisan Perak” at the Kuala Kangsar public library.
He said the motif had been found in Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.
“Other findings show the kelumpang motif used especially in olden Malay houses and mosques,” he added.
Raja Dihilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah opened the programme aimed at highlighting the kelumpang as a natural heritage symbol of Perak, while incorporating school education, public exhibitions, interactive activities and replanting efforts of the flower.
The programme was a collaborative effort between Ocean 9, Perak State Public Library Corporation, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Perak Education Department and Think City.
Perak State Public Library Corporation director Rafidah Abdul Aziz said that through the programme, people could explore the historical aspect, documentation, and scientific studies related to the flower.
“By understanding its heritage value, we can appreciate and preserve it for future generations.
“Apart from the exhibition, there are also other activities themed around kelumpang, including colouring and pasting batik with the flower motif, labu sayong decoration, sketching and demonstrations of wire art,” she said.
“These interactive activities not only enhance visitor engagement, but also highlight the Kuala Kangsar public library’s role as not just a knowledge hub but also a biblio-tourism institution that offers hands-on learning and discovery experiences,” Rafidah added.
