Prisons Department officer Sergeant Major Zulkifli Jusoh showing a tanjak and a piece of batik cloth at the Prisons Department booth in the product exhibitions and booths hall in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre..—AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star.
KUALA LUMPUR: Just past the security cordons of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre where the 46th Asean Summit and related summits are being held, another showcase is unfolding.
Apart from the focus on policies, Malaysian product exhibitions and booths are on full display, with delegates and visitors alike getting to experience the country’s diversity and cultural heritage.
"It is a chance for us to see what Malaysia’s diverse cultures offer.
"We’re interested in looking at all different aspects, especially Malaysian batik," said Vietnam national Chi Lan, who visited the exhibition with her daughter and aunt.
P. Vijayakumar, 48, said the exhibition enables him and his two children, who also tagged along, to learn more about Asean.
"My kids are also learning about Asean in their textbooks, so this is a chance to expose them to the Summit,” he said.
Around the hall, various booths highlight Malaysia’s cultures, including hand-painted batik artwork.
As he works on an intricate piece, Ahmad Fathil Othman noted how batik is one of Malaysia’s most popular tourism products that showcases the country's heritage.
"We hope batik can go further. I am also hoping that I can play a role to help the art reach greater heights internationally,” said the 51-year-old, who is more popularly known as Padil Osman.
The crowds were also entertained with a traditional sewang dance performed by the Temiar community from Kampung Orang Asli Batu 12 in Gombak.
Accompanying the troupe of dancers were the melodious sounds of bamboo instruments.
The Prisons Department booth was also a hit, with many coming to see the works produced by inmates including batik shirts, songket and pastries.
The items were produced across the Marang, Penor, Bentong, Pengkalan Chepa and Machang prisons as well as the Kajang Women’s prison.
There are also specially crafted headgear, made by inmates, which are to be presented as souvenirs for leaders attending the summits.
