Batik directive a 'lifeline' for entrepreneurs
KOTA BHARU - The government's suggestion to encourage civil servants to wear batik every day is like a 'lifeline' for entrepreneurs to keep the batik manufacturing industry alive.
East Coast Malay Batik Association chairman, Kamaruzaman Mohd Salleh said that the Covid-19 pandemic had previously caused many batik entrepreneurs to 'go out of business' after not being able to continue their businesses.
"So when the government encourages batik to be used every day, it is a blessing for us (businessmen).
"We on the association's side welcome and thank the government for giving a 'lifeline' to entrepreneurs to continue to survive," he said when contacted by Sinar on Tuesday.
Kamaruzaman said that the effort was expected to be able to revive the batik industry which is currently being seen as increasingly gloomy.
He said that due to the 300 entrepreneurs under the association, there are only around 80 entrepreneurs who are really active.
Kamaruzaman also expressed his hope that the civil servants will choose to wear original batik instead of imitations.
"The imitation batik fabric is a bit hot even though it is featured with various interesting patterns that are digitally printed.
"While the original batik is made of cotton and silk," he said.
He explained that the price for batik cotton is around RM80 and above while silk costs hundreds to thousands of ringgit depending on the pattern.
Earlier, the local media on Tuesday reported that all civil service officers are required to wear Malaysian batik clothing every Thursday, while wearing batik on other working days is encouraged.
The regulation, which comes into force on 21 August 2023, is stated in the circular letter "Wearing Malaysian Batik Clothing During Working Hours for Federal Public Service Officers" dated 21 August 2023, signed by the Public Services Director (KPPA) Datuk Zulkapli Mohamed.
According to the circular, the provision of wearing batik is exempted for officers who are provided with uniforms or attend official functions with specific dress code provisions.
