Tengku Puteri Jihan Cup To Nurture Young Weaving Talents - Tunku Azizah

KUANTAN, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- The Tengku Puteri Jihan Cup will be introduced as a new category specifically for students in the Royal Pahang Weaving Competition as a new initiative to provide a platform for them to showcase their creativity and skills in the art of weaving.

Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah said the category was created to recognise the participation of students from the National Craft Institute (IKN) and Royal Pahang Weaving Skills Institute (IKTPD).

“This year, we received many entries from IKN and IKTPD students in the competition. I feel it is unfair to pit them against more experienced weavers, as they are still in the learning process,” Her Royal Highness said.

Tunku Azizah said this at a press conference on the Pahang Heritage Festival 2026 at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), located within the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Royal Museum Complex here today.

Tunku Azizah said the trophy is named after Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah ‘Athiyatullah in recognition of her talent and contributions, while also encouraging greater interest among young people in the country’s arts and heritage.

The first-place winner will receive RM10,000, followed by RM7,500 for second place and RM5,000 for third place, as well as two consolation prizes of RM1,500 each.

Regarding the Tunku Azizah Trophy for the Royal Pahang Weaving Competition, Her Royal Highness said the prize-presentation ceremony would be held on Sept 5 at 8 pm, with total cash prizes of RM151,000, in addition to trophies and certificates to be given to winners.

The main competition offers RM30,000 for first place, RM20,000 for second and RM10,000 for third, followed by five consolation prizes of RM5,000 each, six Queen’s Choice awards of RM5,000 each and 12 appreciation awards of RM3,000 each.

The Pahang Heritage Festival 2026 will feature a variety of programmes over 10 days, from Aug 29 to Sept 7, between 10 am and 11 pm, at MOCA, the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Royal Museum Complex, and the Kuantan City Council (MBK) 1 Field here.

Tunku Azizah expressed hope that the festival would raise public awareness of the importance of preserving the state’s heritage while introducing the uniqueness of local culture to younger generations.

According to Her Royal Highness, the Pahang Heritage Festival 2026 would feature a variety of activities, including craft exhibitions and sales, workshops, demonstrations, and traditional and heritage cuisine from all 11 districts in the state.

“This year, we have participants from across the African continent and Japan joining us to showcase their crafts, heritage, and unique offerings,” Her Royal Highness said.

She added that craft-making workshops involving Malaysian craft entrepreneurs would cover various disciplines, including wood carving, weaving, batik, metalwork, ceramics, rattan weaving, telepuk (gold-leaf textile decoration), and mengkuang weaving.

Tunku Azizah said the Malaysian Prison Department would also participate by showcasing and selling products made by inmates, including frozen food, Tenun Pahang Diraja (Royal Pahang Weave), songket and batik.

In addition to craft-making demonstrations and heritage cooking sessions featuring specialities from all 11 districts, Tunku Azizah will personally prepare traditional and royal recipes for visitors to sample.

“We have the ‘Pasar Sera’ market, open-air movie screenings and various other activities taking place from Aug 29 to Sept 7. The highlight will be on Sept 5, when the winners of the Tunku Azizah Cup are announced,” Her Royal Highness said.

-- BERNAMA