Parents spending time with their children in making crafts under the guidance of craftsmen during the interactive sessions at Johor Craft Festival 2024. — Courtesy photos
LOCAL craftsmen are gearing up for exciting days ahead with Visit Johor Year 2026 (VJY) and Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY) in their sights.
Their role as craft ambassadors in promoting Malaysia’s culture and heritage is filling them with a sense of anticipation.
According to 60-year-old rattan weaver Zamri Abdul Majid, the Johor Craft Festival (FKJ), an annual event in December, would help set the stage for craftsmen to promote their wares to tourists visiting Malaysia come 2026.
“The government is placing a lot of expectation on craftsmen like me, to produce quality handicrafts that can be marketed internationally,” he said.
“It would be one of the most challenging tasks since I took up rattan weaving in 2002.”
Zamri said he was given the opportunity to earn a side income by learning how to weave rattan vines into baskets, food covers, and bags.
“I was a factory worker back then, and decided to make this a retirement plan. Rattan weaving is now my full-time job.
Malaysian-made ceramics showcasing the mastery of artisans who transform clay into stunning works of art.
“It usually takes me two days to complete a rattan basket, which sells for RM30. The most expensive item that I have made is the laundry basket, which is priced at RM300,” he said.
When asked whether his woven craft had made it to the international market, Zamri said his rattan products were included in Kraftangan Malaysia exhibitions – which showcased the country’s iconic craft items – in Germany and Sweden.
“My rattan craft are made without applying lacquer for that shiny finish.
“This has made an impression on foreigners who prefer chemical-free products,” he said, adding that he was assisted by his 58-year-old wife in the running of his business.
Zamri was among participants in the Johor Craft Festival 2024, which was a vibrant display of craftsmanship that took place in December.
FKJ 2024 was also a platform for craft entrepreneurs to share their creativity with visitors.
Some of the event participants have described it as a “warm-up” for their biggest goal and challenge which are VJY 2026 and VMY 2026.
Claytan tableware showcased at FKJ 2024. Claytan was set up in 1920 by Tan Soon Heng, a skilled ceramics craftsman from Guangdong, China.
By bringing together unique Malaysian crafters under one roof, FKJ 2024 captured the interest of both locals and tourists while raising awareness of Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage.
Be it art enthusiasts or those simply curious about traditional crafts, there was something for everyone.
Visitors also enjoyed a packed programme filled with fascinating activities.
From bustling craft sales and community showcases to interactive workshops and traditional games, the festival delivered an unforgettable experience.
A standout feature was the “This is Malaysian Craft” exhibition, which included architectural garden displays, new craft product innovations and special exhibitions by National Craft Institute (IKN) and Mycraftshoppe.
Tie-dye fabric creator Lim Beng Chee said his product was born from the idea of building awareness of the importance of preserving mangrove forests.
The 57-year-old graphic designer said his dyeing technique was an idea borrowed from traditional fishermen who used to soak fishing nets in mangrove natural dye before hanging them to dry, to make them durable.
“Back in the 1950s, fishing nets were made of jute. To strengthen the fabric, fishermen soaked them in mangrove natural dye,” he said.
He added that the dye was made from mangrove tree bark that had been soaked in salt water for a month.
57-year-old graphic designer Lim Beng Chee showing the mangrove tree bark which he uses in his tie-dye craft process.
Lim said his mangrove bark supply was derived from charcoal factories, using discarded tree bark which were omitted from the charcoal-making process, in Gelang Patah.
His handmade products range from lifestyle items to home decorations.
Items such as bags, purses, keychains, face masks, pillows and table runners are made of 100% unbleached cotton fabrics.
“It usually takes three to four days to produce a single batch of cotton product,” said Lim.
“If the weather is cloudy or rainy, then the process takes a week.”
He also organises guided tours to Tanjung Piai National Park, Johor, to raise awareness of the importance of protecting mangrove forests.
Lim said, “After the tour, participants can come to our studio in Pontian, about 20 minutes away from Tanjung Piai, to learn about the dye-making process.”
Former engineer M. Rathamani, 54, shared how her eco-printing hobby had evolved into a full-time retirement plan.
Eco printing is an environmentally friendly, natural dyeing technique using colours from plants such as leaves and flowers, that are transferred to fabric, stone or paper through methods like steaming or boiling.
“The leaves are steamed for three hours, leaving their natural colours on the fabric,” she said.
“Each process takes about two weeks, from gathering raw materials to the drying process.”
Rathamani’s foray into business started in 2021 after attending an eco-printing workshop organised by the Tunku Azizah Homemade Market.
Her hobby has transformed into a full-time job.
Rathamani showing her one-of-a-kind scarf made using eco-printing process. — Photo: REMAR NORDIN/The Star
“My products are 100% organic and sustainable. I use leaves like daun jati, daun semambu and daun ketapang, which I collect from Seremban, Kuala Pilah, Jasin and Bahau in Negri Sembilan and Melaka.
“The fabrics, made of 100% cotton, are from Indonesia and India, while silk is sourced from Japan,” she said.
Even the fabric’s background colours are created using natural dyes made from plants such as kayu sepang, pokok tinggi and pokok tegeran, she added.
Rathamani said she hoped that VMJ 2026 and VMY 2026 would offer more opportunities for crafters to promote their products to local and foreign markets.
Mall manager Jack Lim Zheng Long is hoping for more interactive sessions between local craftsmen and the public.
“The FKJ is organised only once a year. It would be better if we could have a more interactive experience.
“I personally would like to see more culturally-themed items being showcased because the Malay, Chinese and Indian folk have unique crafts representing their communities,” he said.
An artisan giving a live demonstration of wood carving at FKJ 2024.
The 26-year-old added that this was his first time attending an FKJ event, and he would visit again in future.
Purnama Johor Arts and Cultural Association secretary S. Chandrasekaran, 60, described the programme as good for the public.
“The event is multicultural, so besides the Malay, Chinese and Orang Asli cultures, we can also learn about the Indian culture.
“The public can try panipuri, and women can get their henna tattoo at the event too,” he said, adding that the public could also watch traditional Bharatanatyam performance at FKJ.
Hosted by Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) through Kraftangan Malaysia, FKJ 2024 was held at Padang Akasia, Angsana Johor Baru Mall.
