Tenun Pahang Diraja inspired by Tunku Azizah for King's installation

By Siti Radzeah Rahmat

KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- Kain Tenun Pahang Diraja (Royal Pahang Woven Fabric) is the choice fabric for Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah as her outfit to be worn for the installation ceremony of the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on July 30.

The fabric, designed by her is unique and special as it was handwoven by the inmates of the Penor and Bentong prisons in Pahang.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tunku Azizah today were presented with four choices of the fabric for the Raja Permaisuri Agong to wear at the installation ceremony.

When met by reporters, Tunku Azizah said the Penor and Bentong prisons were picked to create the fabric as her way of showing appreciation to them. She is the patron of the Tenun Pahang Diraja Foundation and chairman of the Tenun Pahang Diraja Development Committee.

"I personally want the inmates to create the fabric for me to wear at the installation ceremony. I'm very proud to wear it. It is an honour for me and I too want to honour them. 

"There are also designs that reflect the state of Pahang. Once in two weeks I would drop by at both prisons to check on the progress of the weaving work,” said Tunku Azizah.

Also present at the presentation ceremony were Prisons director-general Datuk Seri Zulkifli Omar, Pahang Prisons director Datuk Ab Basir Mohamad and Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin.

The Queen said Tenun Pahang Diraja is a heritage and legacy of the state of Pahang created 300 years ago.

Tunku Azizah who was impressed with the pieces presented to her said she drew inspiration from nature and her surroundings like coffee beans and the shadows of fences.

She said the rewards from the weaving of the fabrics would be distributed to the prison inmates and expressed hope that the skills acquired could be further developed to safeguard this Malay heritage and tradition.

Tunku Azizah’s involvement in developing Tenun Pahang began in 2005 and she was instrumental in promoting and uplifting it to Tenun Pahang Diraja in May 2006, with its development closely monitored through the Tenun Pahang Diraja Advisory Body.

Due to her passion in Tenun Pahang Diraja and to uphold it, Tunku Azizah set up the Tengku Ampuan Besar Meriam Tenun Pahang Diraja Skills Institute at the Pulau Keladi Cultural and Handicraft Complex in Pekan, Pahang, in 2010 to train youths specifically.

Meanwhile, Zulkifli said the weaving work involved 73 inmates from Penor Prison and 56 from Bentong Prison.

He said the work began three months ago in March and the level of skills of the prisoners were assessed beforehand to produce quality workmanship.

-- BERNAMA