KUCHING: The textile and craft industry remains one of Sarawak’s cultural treasures that must be safeguarded for future generations.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said continuous development was necessary to ensure traditional textiles such as ‘keringkam’ and ‘pua kumbu’ remained relevant and sustained their economic value.
He said the ministry would not allow efforts in textile, craft or performing arts to stall, stressing that the industry depended on steady and uninterrupted progress.
“The moment you stop, there is no holding back. It has to move forward. We cannot plan events or develop weaving, ‘keringkam’ or ‘pua kumbu’ programmes this year and then stop next year.
“It has to continue because we are building an ecosystem to increase interest in this industry.
“This industry can help the economy, especially those directly or indirectly involved, including many in the interior,” he said during a press conference on Borneo International Textile Festival here on Friday.
Abdul Karim said industry players, communities and agencies were helping to strengthen the ecosystem through various programmes, including initiatives by Centre For Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS), Tun Jugah Foundation, and Sarawak Energy’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts in rural areas.
He noted that international exposure had also been important, with Sarawak showcasing its textiles at exhibitions in Pahang, WTM London and ITB Berlin to widen global interest.
As such, he stressed the need for collaboration, saying Sarawak should not work in silos and should continue learning from regional partners such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
“With more people exposed to this industry, opportunities will grow globally. Back home, the industry will also grow and bring economic benefits to entrepreneurs.
“For events like the international textile festival, we bring experts from Indonesia, Brunei and elsewhere so we can work together to grow this industry,” he added.
On long-term continuity, Abdul Karim said preserving textile heritage remained a priority.
“This is one of our treasures. We will try to make sure that this treasure will not be lost in the future. We are fortunate to have many organisations helping to revive and elevate it, including CENTEXS, Tun Jugah Foundation and, in Pahang, Tenun Diraja,” he said.
