COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY TO PROMOTE KELINSING ORANG ASLI HANDICRAFTS AS ASEAN SOUVENIRS

SEPANG, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Communications will work to feature handicraft products from the Orang Asli community in Kampung Kelinsing here, as souvenirs for ASEAN representatives attending various meetings throughout the year, said Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi said in addition to showcasing the community’s handicrafts to international guests, including tourists, he also hopes the special dishes of the Orang Asli community will attract attention.

“Our goal is to promote these locally handmade products, and for the Ministry, we will strive to acquire some of the crafts from Kampung Orang Asli Kelinsing and surrounding areas.

“With the expected influx of tourists, we hope some of them will enjoy the local dishes and purchase the handcraft items from this village,” he told a press conference following the launch of the Communications Ministry's Kampung Angkat Madani at Kampung Orang Asli Kelinsing here today.

Fahmi said this when asked if the craft products from the village would be given as souvenirs at the ASEAN 2025 meetings.

Fahmi added that Malaysia, as the host of approximately 323 ASEAN meetings at various levels, should take full advantage of the opportunity to promote the community's crafts and local food.

Malaysia officially assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship on January 1, 2025, with the theme ‘Inclusion and Sustainability,’ which reflects the country's aspirations to foster a united and prosperous ASEAN.

On the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI), which has been established in the village, Fahmi expressed hope that it would be utilised effectively to spread information about Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship.

"We hope NADI will provide updates on major ASEAN events and share them with the Madani community and local residents," he said.

He also expressed hopes that the facility would help villagers access information about government grants, assistance, and improve their e-commerce entrepreneurship skills.

“There is great potential to promote and sell local products, such as the ubi kacau dish,” he added.

The construction of NADI, which cost RM1.8 million, took five months to complete, beginning in August last year.

Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama News Service Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nasriah Darus and Bernama Head of Management Services & Finance Sharifah Zaini Syed Zain were also present at the event.

-- BERNAMA