Terengganu: The production of batik, a heritage craft and cultural identity of Terengganu, is now facing challenges as the number of skilled copper block carvers continues to decline, in addition to time and cost constraints in producing each copper block. Nor Zaini Senik, head of the architecture programme at the Kolej Komuniti Kuala Terengganu, Hulu Terengganu branch, said that in light of this situation, her team has developed an innovative product called EzBlok Batik, a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to the traditional copper blocks.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, traditionally, copper blocks are used for stamped or printed batik, but now there are very few skilled block makers left, especially among the younger generation. Even the copper blocks still in use today are mostly refurbished from those passed down through families, Nor Zaini Senik explained when met at the MADANI Rakyat Programme (PMR) in Terengganu.

Unlike copper blocks, which are costly and time-consuming to produce, EzBlok Batik is made from dry sponge material, with motifs or patterns created using computer software based on current trends, without compromising the traditional identity of batik. These motifs are then transferred onto the dry sponge and cut out using a laser, making the blocks user-friendly, low-cost, and quick to produce. This innovation can encourage batik entrepreneurs to produce more stamped batik products with a greater variety of designs, she added, noting that the EzBlok Batik is also durable if properly maintained.

To encourage wider adoption of this innovation, the community college is also offering short courses to raise awareness of the EzBlok Batik product. Plans are also underway to introduce the innovation to students from preschool through to university, in efforts to preserve and promote the local batik heritage. At the same time, EzBlok Batik has received intellectual property protection under MyIPO 2.0 and was showcased in various competitions, including at the Kumpulan Inovatif Dan Kreatif Horizon Baharu (KIKHB) contest last year.

The Terengganu PMR 2025 programme, which runs for three days until Sunday, targets 25,000 visitors. Carrying the theme ‘Pembangunan MADANI, Rakyat Sejahtera’, it brings a wide range of public services and initiatives directly to the people. The event is organised by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) via the Performance Acceleration Coordination Unit (PACU), in strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Works (KKR) and the Implementation Coordination Unit, Prime Minister’s Department (ICU JPM).