TIFFIN CARRIER FOR PM SHOWCASES PEWTER CRAFT ON GLOBAL STAGE

MELAKA, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Few gestures could be more symbolic than presenting a mangkuk tingkat or bakul sia (tiffin carrier), a traditional food container synonymous with Melaka, as an exclusive gift to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the launch of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) recently.

What made it more special was that the commemorative piece, made entirely of pewter, was handcrafted by local craftsman Mohamad Azrai Hussin, 43, featuring design elements inspired by the Baba Nyonya heritage, one of Melaka’s unique ethnic groups.

Taking two weeks to complete, the Peringgit-born craftsman said he applied all his skills into designing the tiffin carrier, as it was more than just a souvenir; it symbolised cultural heritage and Malaysia’s ethnic diversity, particularly that of Melaka.

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“The inspiration came naturally and also through discussions with the Melaka government because we wanted to bring Malaysia’s image, especially Melaka, to the world stage through the tiffin carrier, indirectly elevating the pewter handicraft to a higher level.

“Exclusive photo frames were also designed as accompanying gifts for delegates attending the World Tourism Day (WTD) and World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2025, while traditional accessories such as dokoh, kerongsang, and cucuk sanggul were showcased during the exhibition,” he told Bernama.

He said the three-day WTD and WTC events in Melaka had a big impact on fellow local handicraft entrepreneurs, as the products displayed attracted the attention of foreign delegates as well as various government agencies and departments present.

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“It was a valuable opportunity because pewter products, with their exclusive appeal, are often a top choice for corporate souvenirs, while traditional accessories always find a place among visitors to complement their attire,” he said.

He also said that he would continue to create premium designs with Malaysian elements throughout the VM2026 celebrations, featuring unique characteristics from each state, especially Melaka, as official products.

“If this concept can be driven together with the state government, ministries, and Kraftangan Malaysia, we can develop a Malaysian-inspired collection that can be marketed globally.

“For entrepreneurs like me, the priority is to ensure that our products are of high quality, reasonably priced and portable, while maintaining customer service, as it reflects our image,” he added.

-- BERNAMA