PPKK's Rattan Weaving Initiative To Cultivate New Local Craft Entrepreneurs

KANGAR, July 10 (Bernama) -- The Community Skills Development Project (PPKK) for Rattan Weaving in Kampung Sempering here is part of an effort to cultivate new local craft entrepreneurs.

These entrepreneurs can not only generate income but also potentially support the nation's tourism industry.

Datuk 'Ainu Sham Ramli, Director-General of the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia), stated that this program has the potential to produce active and self-reliant new craft communities, whether they pursue handicrafts as their main or supplementary source of income.

"Participants are able to produce rattan woven products like food covers (tudung saji) that incorporate elements of the state's identity, including the blue and yellow colors synonymous with Perlis," she told reporters after closing the PPKK Rattan Weaving program in Kampung Sempering today.

"We hope these products can be a souvenir for domestic and international tourists, and even be elevated not just at the state level but also nationally. This is also part of our preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026."

'Ainu Sham explained that the program was implemented in three phases: the first phase from December 22 to 24 last year, the second phase from April 15 to 17, and the third phase from July 7 until today, through the Rattan Weaving Craft Product Development and Production Laboratory activities.

"Throughout this program, participants were guided and mentored by two experienced rattan weaving craft entrepreneurs," she said, adding that the program was held in conjunction with the Santuni MADANI: One Leader One Village Program, which focuses on community development and the socio-economic needs of local residents.

She also mentioned that almost 7,000 craft entrepreneurs are currently registered with Kraftangan Malaysia, with the highest numbers recorded in Sabah, Sarawak, and East Coast states. Of this total, Perlis has 85 active craft entrepreneurs producing various products.

-- BERNAMA