BREAKING NEWS | Malaysia hopes ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiations can be concluded soonest possible for mutual benefit - PM Anwar | | Malaysia hopes ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiations can be concluded soonest possible for mutual benefit - PM Anwar | |
KUANTAN, Dec 6 -- The 2019 Craft Icon of the Year Award by the World Craft Council (WCC) which will be presented to Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, brought sentimental value to the personnel and inmates of Penor Prison here.
Tunku Azizah was scheduled to receive the 2019 Craft Icon Award tomorrow at the International Craft Awards (ICA) at GMR Aerocity in New Delhi, India, in conjunction with India Craft Week as an honour of Her Majesty's contribution in preserving the heritage of traditional crafts.
To express their excitement on the award, over 70 inmates who were selected to attend the Tenun Pahang Diraja (Royal Pahang Weave) workshop at Penor Prison, produces two pieces of black and red cards to pay homage to Her Majesty.
The card written 'Sembah Tahniah Tuanku Permaisuri Atas Penganugerahan Ikon Kraf, Dari Penghuni Bengkel Tenun Pahang Diraja Penjara Penor' took almost an hour to be completed under the supervision of Pak Wahab, 52, who was a 'senior' in the workshop.
Pak Wahab, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment since January 1999 for firearm offenses, was the 'backbone' in producing 'colek' or motifs for the woven fabric at the workshop, described Tunku Azizah as the 'most qualified candidate' to receive the recognition.
"When I was told that Tunku Azizah will receive the award, I was speechless…I remember all Her Majesty's efforts and guidance, whenever she came here. There will always be new ideas and pattern that she would share.
"Her Majesty's passion was craft and art. In fact, I am amazed at Her Majesty's skills, who has sketched a lot of 'colek' patterns for me to be translated into weaving," he told Bernama when met here today.
As for another inmate, Fairus, 43, noted that Tunku Azizah's interest in crafts was evident every time she came to visit the workshop because she would spend time observing their weaving and admonish the inmate concerned if there's a mistake.
He said the Raja Permaisuri Agong was very patient in providing guidance as those at the workshop had no experience in weaving before.
Meanwhile, Penor Prison director Datuk Abu Hassan Hussain said they were fortunate to have the involvement of Raja Permaisuri Agong, who has helped to promote the Royal Pahang Weave by the prison inmates made at international level.
He noted that Her Majesty had brought many guests, both nobles and dignitaries as well as domestic and international celebrities to the weaving workshop, to illustrate that each process of the textile production reflected the uniqueness of the woven fabric believed to have originated over 300 years ago.
Among those who have visited were the Danish Royal family and Perak Permaisuri Zara Salim, as well as local leading fashion designer Datuk Rizalman Ibrahim, Datuk Radzuan Radziwill and Salikin Sidek, which praised the fine quality of the handwoven fabrics.
Recalling the involvement of Raja Permaisuri Agong in the Royal Pahang Weave, Abu Hassan said Her Majesty visited the workshop on Nov 13, 2007, followed by her second visit with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah on June 9, the following year and to date, Tunku Azizah has visited the workshop 51 times.
"Raja Permaisuri Agong has given her many insights and ideas in the production of colours and 'colek' (weaving patterns). For the common people, weaving has become more popular after Her Majesty presented a pair of the Royal Pahang Weave fabrics for her niece, Tunku Tun Aminah Sultan Ibrahim for her wedding.
"Besides that, under the Raja Permaisuri Agong efforts, has given the Royal Pahang Weave to be used as the costume for the 'Istiadat Siram Tabal' for Sultan Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and also worn by the head of government attending the 2015 ASEAN Summit," he said.
-- BERNAMA
© 2025 BERNAMA • Disclaimer • Privacy Policy • Security Policy