ISKANDAR PUTERI: Civil servants in Johor are encouraged to wear baju kurung and baju Melayu teluk belanga with Kain Benang Johor as their work attire every Friday, starting next year. State Unity, Heritage and Culture Committee chairman K. Raven Kumar said the initiative aims to promote Kain Benang Johor, a traditional Johor craft, to domestic and international tourists.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the participation of government officials in wearing the fabric is a promotional strategy to introduce Kain Benang Johor. This handcrafted product is gaining recognition and popularity. Raven Kumar made this announcement during the state assembly sitting in response to a question from Gan Peck Cheng (PH-Penggaram) on the state government’s efforts to promote Johor’s handicrafts as a tourist attraction.
Raven Kumar added that the state government, through Yayasan Warisan Johor (YWJ), would introduce a weaving module under the Perintis Seni Johor education programme next year to identify and nurture local tal
ents and skilled artisans. The three-month programme will provide basic training in weaving and the production of Kain Benang Johor, based on a module developed by YWJ.
He stated that the programme will initially target 20 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia leavers who are interested in handicrafts. This initiative aims to create job opportunities for Johoreans and increase the production of state crafts in conjunction with Visit Johor Year 2026. YWJ will focus not only on short-term training but will also collaborate with the National Craft Institute to develop career expansion programmes to produce skilled weavers and future adiguru (master craftsmen) in the industry.
Raven Kumar, who is also Tenggaroh assemblyman, revealed that since 2018, a total of 873 pieces of Kain Benang Johor have been produced at the Galeri Tenun Johor, located at the Sultan Abu Bakar Heritage Complex in Johor Bahru. The gallery, managed by YWJ, showcases and produces Kain Benang Johor, a craft synonymous with the state. Since its inaugurat
ion in 2018, eight weavers have been producing the fabric at the gallery, which has attracted 14,660 visitors as of last month.
He added that in conjunction with Visit Johor Year, YWJ plans to hold a fashion show for Kain Benang Johor products in collaboration with renowned designers. The show will feature diverse products such as sampin, Johor traditional wear, accessories for men and women, cushions, and furniture.