Metro

Monday November 9, 2009

Youths uninterested in being craftsmen


KUANTAN: A lack of interest among youths in making handicraft products could be due to their inability to appreciate handmade goods, State Arts, Heritage, Tourism, Family, Community Development and Women Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif said.

He said the abundance of job options was also a factor in the diminishing interest among youths to become craftsmen.

Shafik Fauzan cited Thailand and Indonesia for example, where youths were passionate about craftwork because it was also a source of income for them apart from being involved in the art from young.

Not easy: Shafik Fauzan trying out his skill painting batik at the exhibition. Looking on are State Handicraft Development Corporation director Mohd Zubair Mohd Zain (left), State Economic Planning Unit director Datuk Mahadiah Mohammad((blue headscarf), State Tourism Action Council general manager Idros Yahya and Malaysia Handicraft Developmeny Corporation entrepreneur division director Mokhtar Lop Ahmad.

“I have seen youths in Chiangmai (Thailand) and Indonesia making handicrafts from wood, textiles, candles and paper, among various materials.

“Their products are sold in markets to tourists; it is their means to earn a living and has become their profession,” he said.

He said Malaysian youths, however, preferred earning a fixed income over making and selling traditional handicraft.

Shafik Fauzan said the Government had provided numerous facilities, including the National Craft Institute in Rawang, Selangor in a bid to train and produce local craftsmen.

“We have also set up Handicrafts Development Centres to promote and market the products.

“But all our efforts will be in vain if youths do not have the interest in handicraft work,” he said after opening a batik and tenun fair in a shopping complex here recently.

The event was to promote the two traditional textile crafts and featured more than 20 entrepreneurs from all over the country, including Sabah and Sarawak.

Attended by Malaysia Handicraft Development Corporation’s entrepreneur division director Mokhtar Lop Ahmad, state director Mohd Zubair Mohd Zain, Pahang Tourism Action Council general manager Idros Yahya and Bukit Fraser’s Development Corporation general manager Mohd Hanafiah Abdul Talib, the programme received overwhelming support from the public.

Besides textiles, the fair also offered tikar anyaman (mats), miniature traditional sampan made of wood and clay, as well as women’s accessories.

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