KUALA TERENGGANU: A batik entrepreneur in Terengganu expressed his confidence that the industry will be able to repeat its glorious era when the use of batik is expanded among private sector employees in the country.
A & Z Songket owner Che Mustaffa Che Ibrahim said based on his experience in the business for the past 20 years, any government policy regarding the use of batik would have positive impact on the business.
“For example, when the government introduced the use of batik among civil servants in 2008, we received numerous orders from government departments and agencies for uniforms and gifts.
“For me, the government’s latest proposal for private sector employees to wear batik will help increase the sales of batik as well as popularise it as part of Malaysia’s image globally,” he told Bernama today.
On Saturday, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi was quoted as saying that the ministry would encourage private sector employees to wear batik, as currently being practised by the civil servants every Thursday, to boost the batik industry further.
The sentiment was shared by Nadeema Songket Courtier’s owner, Emma Surianti Che Mustaffa, who expressed her optimism that with the government’s encouragement, it would turn batik into a trend that would be the pride of Malaysians in the future. – Bernama
