By Beatrice Nita Jay
News Straits Times
KUALA LUMPUR: The batik industry must make improvements in designs, pricing and colours to ensure that it remains an outfit of choice for many, while attracting the younger generation to the traditional art.
UiTM Faculty of Art and Design’s former lecturer for textile design, Siti Rohaya Yahaya, says local batik designs lack identity.
“If we compare our batik with that of Indonesia, the latter has a strong identity where the designs and colours are almost similar.
“As for Malaysian batik, despite being rich in designs and colours, it does not have a distinctive identity. Some have even been modernised so much that the designs and colours no longer reflect our Malaysian identity,” Siti Rohaya told the New Sunday Times.
Siti Rohaya says with effective marketing and promotional activities, local batik can be marketed abroad.
She says an agency under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, Kraftangan Malaysia, has made efforts in the past to market batik abroad.
However, it received little support from local batik entrepreneurs.
“Some local batik producers prefer not to be marketed under Kraftangan Malaysia because they are worried that they would lose their brand control.”
Universiti Sains Malaysia’s School of Art lecturer in fine arts, Tetriana Ahmed Fauzi, agrees that Malaysian batik requires an update to attract contemporary buyers.
“Indonesian batik is more affordable and its designs are more intricate. Due to lower cost of labour in Indonesia, more time can be spent on the pieces.
“As a result, the designs and workmanship are more appealing.
“Even though the trend in patterns changes from time to time, classic designs continue to be sought after.”
Tetriana says batik in Indonesia is culturally embedded and despite a waning industry, Indonesians still wear their batik proudly.
“Indonesian batik is not only worn during official government events or at weddings, but also on a daily basis, which is something that we can emulate here.”
Tetriana says comprehensive initiatives to promote local batik are required to boost the industry.
“Past efforts to promote batik, such as encouraging government officials to wear batik on Thursdays, helped boost the industry.
“Perhaps batik can be the official attire for certain government events.
“We should encourage local designers to infuse batik into their designs and allow them to be used for certain uniforms. Hotels and relevant companies should be allowed tax exemption for incorporating batik.”
Siti Rohaya says batik should also be allowed as daily wear for those working in the private sector.
“I was in Indonesia recently for two conferences where all members of the organising committee wore batik. If only we could start the practice here, our batik will travel places,” she said.
Siti Rohaya says batik elements can be infused in designs for traditional outfits, such as baju Melayu and baju kurung.
On ways to ensure batik stays relevant to society, Tetriana says awarding grants to those who are willing to experiment with new colours, designs and styles will create a competitive market.
“Piala Seri Endon is a good competition that gives batik a platform to shine. The winners can expand their designs and businesses.”