Songkok Masood Hussin: from Atuk’s workshop to the palace

 

Sultan Ibrahim wore a Masood Hussin songkok during his coronation in March 2015. (Johor government pic)

MUAR: 

Becoming a songkok maker was never Nur Dalila Abd Ghani’s dream career, but a desire to repay the kindness of her grandparents led her to carry on the business founded by her “Atuk” nearly 80 years ago.

Reflecting on her journey in elevating the Masood Hussin name, Dalila shared how her grandmother had asked her to continue the business after her grandfather passed away.

“At first, I felt obligated – it was a big decision, but I thought about repaying their kindness. Also, there was no one else in the family who was willing to continue his business,” said Dalila, who had been raised by her grandparents from a young age.

Established in 1947, Butik Songkok Masood Hussin is renowned for its fine craftsmanship, adding class and exclusivity to its brand of traditional headwear.

Dalila’s decision to enter the songkok-making industry in 2002 was met with questions and mixed reactions. “Some people said, ‘Why study so hard if you’re just going to make songkoks?'” she recalled.

“But for me, knowledge is important. I want to show that songkoks have their own class.”

Masood Hussin songkoks range from RM15 to RM400, with custom-made pieces going for as much as RM3,000.

That class is embedded in every songkok at her boutique here. Whether custom-made or ready to wear, Masood Hussin’s products showcase neat stitching that binds soft yet durable fabric.

The structure is sturdy to the touch yet comfortable to wear, resistant to creases, and easy to maintain.

She believes the brand has carved out its own niche, especially among the younger generation, and she wants every customer to remember the experience of owning a Masood Hussin songkok.

“Nowadays, many people come up to me and say, ‘Kak, I’ve never worn a songkok before – can you teach me?’ That’s very satisfying,” she said.

The most significant moment of her career was receiving an order from Istana Johor for the coronation of Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar in 2015.

“We felt so proud because such an event only happens once in a lifetime,” Dalila added.

Nur Dalila and her husband Zahedy Zakaria are now at the helm of Butik Songkok Masood Hussin in Muar, Johor.

Year after year, she and her husband, Zahedy Zakaria, 46, work tirelessly to fulfil orders. Their songkoks range from RM15 to RM400, with some custom-made pieces reaching RM3,000, depending on special requests and the materials used.

High demand, especially during festive seasons, drives sales up to 30,000 units annually. “Previously, our songkoks were mostly popular during the fasting month, but Alhamdulillah, now we receive orders all year round,” Dalila noted.

For her, this business is not just about making a living – it is about preserving the heritage of the songkok in modern society.

“Why are branded shoes expensive, while songkoks are looked down upon?” she said. “I want to change that perception. We wear the songkok on our heads, so its prestige should be elevated, too.” - FMT