18 community members in Samarahan graduate from ecoprint batik lab using crystal fruit, midin leaves

Some samples of the ecoprint batik craft products.

By Ling Hui

KOTA SAMARAHAN, Sept 29: A total of 18 participants from local communities here have graduated from the three-day Creative Batik Printing (Ecoprint) Crafts Product Development and Production Laboratory today.

Kota Samarahan MP Datuk Rubiah Wang when congratulating the graduands, said the batik printing workshop that took place from Sept 26 to 28 had highlighted the use of natural materials such as the leaves of the crystal longan fruit and midin.

She was proud that the local community is willing to learn new knowledge especially by optimising raw materials that are symbolic in Sarawak to produce creative batik prints.

“As everyone is aware, the field of jungle products various crafts is a major contributor to the sales value of crafts in Sarawak.

“Therefore, I hope that the initiative introduced to the new community can produce beautiful and attractive products that have their own uniqueness and can be commercialised,” she said when launching the ‘Kraf Komuniti Ku’ (KKK) Kota Samarahan at Dewan Kampung Rimba Padi here today.

Rubiah (centre) launching the KKK Kota Samarahan project at Dewan Kampung Rimba Padi here today (Sept 29, 2022).
The ingredients used to produce ecoprint batik craft products.

With great hopes, Rubiah is eyeing Kota Samarahan to become a production hub for creative batik print craft products that can be commercialised both locally and internationally.

The KKK project is an initiative by the Malaysian Crafts to empower the community comprising the youth, people with disabilities, low-income groups, housewives, single mothers, Sarawak and Sabah ethnic groups in urban and rural areas.

KKK Kota Samarahan is the fourth KKK project created for Sarawak after those located in Batang Sadong, Baram, and Lawas. — Dayakdaily