Rosmah calls for ‘batik’ Thursdays at the office

Rosmah Mansor says the initiative for all GLC and private sector employees to wear batik once every week could increase its sales significantly.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prime Minister’s wife, Rosmah Mansor wants employees of government-linked companies (GLCs) and those in the private sector to emulate civil servants by wearing batik to the office every Thursday.

Such an initiative, Rosmah explained, could increase batik sales as well as create a demand locally and internationally for it.

“I promoted batik and songket from Malaysia in Paris and Milan and last year, at the Milano World Expo. We managed to showcase batik in front of hundreds of famous designers, fashion editors and those involved in the fashion industry.

“I was very proud when several renowned fashion designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Dolce Cabbana, Fashion PR and RCM Group were part of the show,” she said during the National Crafts Day at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex.

Also present were Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz and Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri.

Rosmah claimed Malaysia’s presence at the expo was a huge success and that Malaysian designers who participated in the event received numerous orders from international buyers for their creations.

According to Rosmah, batik was the most popular handicraft for the country, generating 45 per cent of overall sales for handicrafts.