GAMBUS REPLICA, KAIN BENANG JOHOR PRESENTED AS SOUVENIRS FOR ASEAN DELEGATES

By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen

JOHOR BAHRU, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Delegates at the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat (AEM), in Desaru, Kota Tinggi, will receive exclusive souvenirs featuring a replica of gambus, a traditional musical instrument, and Kain Benang Johor fabric.

The Johor Collection (TJC), a Perbadanan Usahawan Johor (PUJB) subsidiary, was entrusted with crafting these special gifts, embodying two of Johor's most significant cultural symbols.

TJC’s business development and operations manager, Ahmad Bukhari A Rahim, said that the gambus replica was created by Halidan Ithnin, a renowned artisan from Batu Pahat, while the Kain Benang Johor was produced by the state’s heritage foundation, Yayasan Warisan Johor.

“This is part of Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s vision, to produce gifts which truly reflect the state’s pride,” he told Bernama, yesterday.

The souvenirs, encased in glass-framed boxes, feature a background motif of black pepper strands and gambir leaves, adding cultural depth. They were designed with portability in mind, ensuring that they were convenient for delegates to carry.

Despite their miniature size, the gambus replicas, which took around three months to complete, retain the distinctive features of Johor's traditional musical instrument, including intricate carvings and authentic string materials, said Ahmad Bukhari.

Meanwhile, Kain Benang Johor is a fabric woven with a decorative square or box pattern. The motif typically incorporates lines, coloured stripes, and intersecting horizontal and vertical lines, creating a symmetrical design at the centre.

Ahmad Bukhari also highlighted that TJC plays a key role in showcasing Johor’s uniqueness, through exclusive souvenirs for notable events.

Since its establishment in 2019, inspired by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, TJC has designed gifts for events such as the Majestic Johor Festival, Zoo Johor and even Istana Negara.

“With the ASEAN retreat, we hope to introduce Johor’s identity to the global stage, and contribute to the growth of the state’s tourism industry,” he said.

The AEM retreat, chaired by the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, runs from Feb 22 to 28, and is held in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.

The theme, ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, reflects Malaysia's commitment to strengthening the ASEAN community, and fostering economic cooperation within and beyond the region.

-- BERNAMA