Empin (right) is all smiles as customers flock to his stall.
FOR over two decades, Empin Galing dedicated his life to politics, a path he was convinced would give him not only a sense of purpose but was also the best way to give back to his community.
Hailing from Kampung Gansurai in the northern Kota Belud district, about 80km from the Sabah capital, Empin served a local party with pride, even becoming a grassroots leader in his village.
Despite the responsibility and respect that came with the role, there was always the feeling that something was missing.
“I enjoyed and cherished the 21 years in politics but at the back of my mind I have always wanted to do something close to my heart – make hand woven rattan handicraft,” said the 64-year-old.
Empin showing the rattan handicraft that he made.
“So, when I retired from government service in 2012, I decided to go full time into rattan handicraft,” he added.
Empin was one of many operators selling and promoting local products at the Rhythms of Kinabalu programme organised by the National Department for Culture and Arts at Lintasan Deasoka in Kota Kinabalu last month.
Among the rattan items he was offering were bags, takraw ball keychains, hats and bubu (traditional fish traps), among others.
While he did have knowledge on making rattan items – his grandparents were into the craft before – Empin said he still made it a point to sharpen his skills.
“I enrolled in a course held by the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia) in Melaka in 2013 and later joined other programmes to improve my capability in the craft,” he said.
Empin’s stall was one of the busiest at the Rhythms of Kinabalu programme held at Lintasan Deasoka in Kota Kinabalu last month.
Empin admitted, however, that it was not easy starting out, especially when some people began to write him off for going into handicraft from politics.
“Some people tried to belittle me, saying: ‘Are you not embarrassed? This is not a man’s job’.
“I have to be honest, I felt stung initially but I politely replied that if they thought it was so easy, then they should try it – those detractors could not answer me,” he said, with a satisfied smile on his face.
Suffice to say, deciding to become a full-fledged rattan handicraft maker has paid dividends for the father of five.
Empin has orders for his products coming from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Selangor and Sarawak monthly, besides those he is selling in Sabah.
“These orders come from the government as well as the private sector.
“When I was in politics, I could count on one hand how many times I had the chance to travel to the peninsula.
“Now, I travel to Kuala Lumpur or the peninsula every year, sometimes twice a year to attend exhibitions I am invited to by government agencies or corporate companies.
“It has really been a blessing,” he said, adding the Sabah Handicraft Centre also appointed him as a trainer for handicraft making in 2017.
As for the future, Empin said, he looked forward to further hone his skills and expand on the products he made now.
“But what is important is programmes like the Rhythms of Kinabalu and alike that help us to promote our local products across the country.
“Besides being able to sell our products, we can also expand our network and experience by interacting with other handicraft makers,” he said.
