Queen hopes M’sian arts and craft will be preserved

Patron of the arts: Tunku Azizah taking a closer look at a piece on display during the launch of CIMB Artober, an annual three-month art, culture and lifestyle initiative, at Mitec. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah has expressed hope for Malaysian arts and craft to be preserved.

Her Majesty said that if society failed to take action to preserve the national arts and craft, it would likely disappear over time.

“We should be proud of what we have. From Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak, we have so many different kinds of arts and craft,” Her Majesty said at the launching ceremony of CIMB Artober yesterday.

Tunku Azizah also expressed her gratitude to the government, particularly the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia), for the extensive support provided to the industry over the years.

“Without the support of Kraftangan Malaysia, we would not be where we are today. Kraftangan Malaysia is the teacher to every different type of craft.

“This has made us able to preserve what we have,” Her Majesty said.

Earlier, Tunku Azizah graced the launching ceremony of CIMB Artober at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec).

Her Majesty spent nearly an hour at the exhibition prior to gracing the CIMB Artober fashion show.

CIMB Artober, which is an annual three-month art, culture and lifestyle initiative, returns for the fourth consecutive year to support the local contemporary creative arts scene.

It showcases a series of lifestyle events, serving as a platform to elevate art practitioners’ presence and position Malaysia as a thriving centre for creativity.

The initiative is showcased on two platforms, which are CIMB Artober Art and Soul as well as CIMB Artober Fashion Week. — Bernama