National Crafts Day 2023: ‘This is Malaysian Crafts’ help the B40s generate income
KUALA LUMPUR: National Craft Day 2023 (HKK 2023) features various local craft products from all over the country under one roof.
According to the Deputy Director General (Development) of Malaysian Crafts, Abdul Halim Ali, the 20th edition of the event, which is themed “Ini Kraf Malaysia”, is more unique by also involving craft entrepreneurs from the B40 group.
Local handicraft products are sold to visitors at HKK 2023. Photo: Astro AWANI
“National Craft Day is the signature of the Malaysian Crafts program through MOTAC, this is the 20th time we have organized it since we started in 2003.
“The organization of this HKK is a big Malaysian Craft program gathering all craft entrepreneurs throughout Malaysia in one place.
Local craft products from all over the country are sold to visitors. Photo: Astro AWANI
“This is a platform where all visitors can see and taste the products themselves and learn about the craft products ‘Ini Kraf Malaysia’ itself which is also the HKK theme this year,” he explained.
He said, HKK 2023 was accompanied by 550 businessmen from all countries with a target of visitors of more than 185,000 people throughout the program.
In addition to batik and woven clothing, personal accessories, bags and rattan handicrafts, traditional food is also sold to visitors.
In fact, visitors were also exposed to a demonstration of making craft products using rattan, wood, mengkuang, thousands, tekat, and beads.
Batik clothes are among the focus of visitors at HKK 2023. Photo: Astro AWANI
“It is certain that HKK this time we involve the craft community where we develop the B40 group, it is a source of income for them.
“They develop these craft products in the area where they live, in the rural areas as well as in the city.
“We already know, this craft is not limited to daily use but also a source of income for them and generates the economy for them,” he explained further.
Commenting further, Abdul Halim said, visitors will definitely be excited to see contemporary and modern local handicrafts that can be used on a daily basis.
Locally made rings are also often requested by visitors. Photo: Astro AWANI
“At Kraftangan Malaysia, we bring handicrafts out of the norm, we don’t want the perception that these handicraft products are old products, which are only for decoration and souvenirs.
“But we want to see that these craft products can be used daily. From a design point of view, Malaysian Crafts also develop new products.
Deputy Director General (Development) of Malaysian Crafts, Abdul Halim Ali, the 20th event, is more unique than the previous year with the theme ‘This is Malaysian Crafts’. Photo: Astro AWANI
“We are focusing on domestic and foreign demand. This is an opportunity to generate economic growth for them both domestically and abroad,” he added.
HKK 2023 will last for 13 days starting March 1 at Kompleks Kraf, Kuala Lumpur with a sales target of up to RM16 million.
