KUALA LUMPUR: A showcase of Malaysia’s traditional crafts is being displayed at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex from now till March 13.
Billed as “Ini Kraf Malaysia”, the event is to mark this year’s National Crafts Day.
A model showcases an intricately designed songket at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
There are booths from 380 craft entrepreneurs and communities from across Malaysia.
Some of the crafts include traditional textiles like batik, crafts made from forest-sourced materials like rattan, and metal crafts such as pewter.
Visitors have the chance to learn from educational craft seminars, craft-making demonstrations, and DIY (do-it-yourself) lessons.
There will also be occasional traditional performances such as the Malay joget and other traditional dances from the Chinese, Indian, Sabah and Sarawak cultures.
An estimated 45,000 visitors are expected to visit the event during its 13-day run, said Kraftangan Malaysia director-general Ainu Sham Ramli.
Cultural heritage: Dr Wan Azizah taking a short break.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the event was part of the government’s preparation for Visit Malaysia 2025, and to also improve the livelihood of the people.
“We have seen a 44.1% increase in traditional crafts sales in 2022 compared with 2021 and we hope to either maintain or improve its growth this year.”
He voiced his hope that the event would encourage more people, especially those in the B40 group, to consider taking up craft making as their primary or secondary source of income.
“This will then increase the variety of high-quality affordable craft product offerings in the market to meet the preferences of both local and foreign visitors alike, further growing the craft industry’s demand.
“The use and fame of Malaysian-made products will then be more widely spread, thus boosting the tourism sector as a whole,” he said in his speech at the launch ceremony yesterday.
Also present was Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
