KUCHING: The Sarawak songket with striped motif of bamboo shoots that carry the meaning of hope and loyalty was chosen by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz when he presented the 2022 Budget.
The songket sampin, which was produced by the folk of Rajang, Sarawak, took three months to complete.
Tengku Zafrul looked smart in it and stole the spotlight by matching the songket with a soft peach-coloured Baju Melayu.
Through the sharing of a video, Tengku Zafrul congratulated the Sarawak government for creating Centexs Commercial which helps local entrepreneurs to produce and market heritage products.
“The community initiative undertaken by Centexs Commercial is very good and it is in line with the government’s efforts in helping the locals, especially the B40 group.
“It is similar to the social enterprise implemented by the federal government in helping those who need it.
“Therefore, I hope this effort can be continued and emulated by all parties,” he said.
Meanwhile, Centexs Commercial General Manager Mohamad Shahren Mohamad Yusri said his party was contacted by the Finance Ministry who stated that his minister intended to impose the Sarawak Songket during the 2022 Budget Presentation.
“We have brought various songket patterns and motifs from Sarawak to the Finance Ministry office in Putrajaya to be selected by Tengku Zafrul and he has bought 11 Sarawak songkets to help the songket entrepreneurs in the state.
“He likes the Penakan Sarawak songket, but he chose to wear the striped songket and bamboo shoots during the presentation,” he said when contacted by Suara Sarawak on Friday (Oct 30).
He, meanwhile, believed that Tengku Zafrul’s decision to impose Songket Sarawak on that important day indirectly made him an ambassador for the state’s heritage products which helped in terms of marketing.
“Besides that, it also means that heritage products from Sarawak need to be highlighted following the uniqueness of the products, thus helping these entrepreneurs,” he said.
