PATTERNS of various motifs produced with the canting hand-drawn technique on high-quality fabrics such as natural silk makes Malaysian batik more charming and elegant than stamped batik from other countries.

The delicate manufacturing process (repeated waxing, dip-dyeing and boiling) with the application of liquid wax patterns of flora, fauna and abstract motifs then dyed with colour, makes Malaysian batik heritage more aesthetically stunning and permanently fresh.

Noor Arfa Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Wan Mohd Hafiz Wan Mohd Ariffin said Malaysian batik needed to be preserved because it featured better quality patterns and fabrics than similar products from Indonesia and China.

“Among the significant differences is that Terengganu painted batik is produced through the technique of pinning, using wax on cloth stretched on a frame,” he said, adding that the technique made “painted batik more refined and beautiful than ordinary printed batik”.

“Abstract motifs are the choice nowadays, but traditional motifs such as flora (climbing floral design) and fauna still have a grip on batik enthusiasts.”

Wan Mohd Hafiz said that in addition to natural silk, Malaysian batik was now also available in other types of fabric such as cotton, crepe (crepe silk and Dubai crepe) and polyester to give consumers a wider choice.

He said the uniqueness of Malaysian batik also made it more expensive, with some tagged at thousands of ringgit for exclusive items categorised as “high end” or “masterpiece” products.

Wan Mohd Hafiz and Noor Arfa branding executive Wan Farhana Wan Tazilah at Noor Arfa Craft Complex.

“There are also batik products that are cheap because they use more economical materials, which can sell for as low as RM35 depending on the intricacy,” he added.

Wan Mohd Hafiz said the government’s move to make it mandatory for civil servants to wear batik every Thursday reflected a determination to raise the profile of the country’s heritage.

“The batik industry has been quite gloomy in the last few years,” he said, noting that fewer than 100 batik entrepreneurs still survived in Terengganu.

“Now batik has become popular again and the demand for products such as shirts, baju kurung and kain pasang (fabric) has increased up to three times.

“This government initiative is very good and should be commended as it is done at the right time to not only boost and recolour the batik industry, but to also encourage economic generation through the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.”

Pasar Payang batik dealer Norasiah Awang, 57, said her shop had been filled with customers looking for batik shirts to wear to the office.

“So far I have sold about 300 pieces of batik shirts and kain pasang.

“Many shops are out of stock and waiting for new supplies from distributors,” she said, elated because the batik industry was seeing a revival following the government’s initiative to wear patriotism on the sleeve. — Bernama