CRAFT ENTREPRENEUR WANTS TO PROMOTE JOHOR BATIK

By Nur Fatin Mohmad Kadenen

KOTA TINGGI, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- A woman craft entrepreneur from Tangkak dreams of making Johor Batik, which features motifs representing the state's identity such as black pepper, pineapple, and gambier, recognised on the global stage.

D Warisan Berzaman owner, Azizah Yusof, 51, said she has been in the business for 11 years, producing a variety of Johor Batik products, including shirts, baju kurung, kebaya, cardigans, T-shirts, headscarves, sarong batik and textile.

She shared that her customers are not only from Malaysia but also from abroad, including Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea.

"Most of our foreign customers purchase our products at our booth at events and programmes organised by the state government agencies, such as Tourism Johor, like the recent ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF).

"The feedback has been very positive, with many praising the uniqueness of Johor Batik, for its distinctive charm. They also find our clothing comfortable to wear," she told Bernama when met at the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat at the Desaru Coast Conference Centre today.

Azizah is among Johor entrepreneurs participating in the exhibition held in conjunction with the AEM Retreat.

On the response received, she said it has been encouraging and the products at her booth managed to steal the attention of delegations from the ASEAN community.

"Many people stopped by the booth to ask about Johor Batik, the response has been encouraging. I am very grateful to be able to showcase my products at the AEM Retreat,” she said.

According to Azizah, she set up her business to create job opportunities and train single mothers and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to generate income.

“My husband and I set up the business to help single mothers and the PwDs. We train them for free to make various products using remnants of batik fabric,  such as key holders, pencil cases, hair elastics and ‘seremban’ stones," she said.

The AEM Retreat, until Feb 28, is held in conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship.

-- BERNAMA