Delicate touch: Tunku Azizah (centre), Tun Juhar (second from left) and Toh Puan Norlidah (left) looking on as Terengganu Princess Tengku Nadhirah Zahrah Tengku Mizan works on a wood carving piece. — Bernama
LONDON: Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and Lord Mayor of Westminster councillor Hamza Taouzzale were among dignitaries visiting the Malaysian International Pavilion held in conjunction with the 2023 London Craft Week (LCW).
Tun Juhar, who was accompanied by his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M. Jasni, was met on arrival at the Malaysian High Commission in Belgrave Square on Thursday by Grand Chamberlain of the Royal Household Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini and Malaysian High Commissioner Datuk Zakri Jaafar.
They were briefed by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who is heading the Malaysian delegation at the exhibition, themed Abstract Nature, Bernama reported.
They spent an hour viewing the exhibition of the nation’s heritage crafts and products, featuring Malaysia’s rich cultural landscape, especially of the Malays, Orang Asli folk of Semelai from Pahang, Mah Meri (Selangor) in Peninsular Malaysia, and Orang Asal ethnic groups of Sabah and Sarawak.
The second edition of Malaysia’s exhibition in conjunction with LCW also features the Songket Terengganu and telepuk (textile decorating technique).
Sabah’s Orang Asal crafts on display at the pavilion are handwoven mats Anyaman Tikar by ethnic Rungus, the Bajau Laut of Semporna and Pulau Bangi, basketry products Anyaman Ribu-Ribu and Sulaman Pis from ethnic Rungus, and Sirau from ethnic Murut.
The unique Sulaman Pis is known as “kain tinohian” among the Rungus community.
The one-square-metre cotton cloth, richly embroidered with floral and fauna motifs, is folded and worn as headgear among Rungus men.
Juhar is on a six-day working visit to London until May 16.
Accompanied by Universiti Malaysia Sabah vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kassim Mansor and officials of the university, the delegation was expected to ink several agreements for collaboration with several higher learning institutions in the United Kingdom.
Among the cooperation agreements are with the Engineering Department of Cambridge University in the field of nanoengineering and its application in environment and ecology; Imperial College London in academic research and tropical medicine; and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on academic cooperation and research in tropical medicine.
