By Sheeda Fathil
SHAH ALAM, June 2 — The Selangor batik with Bunga Tanjung (Spanish Cherry flower) motif may soon be used by State Executive Council Meeting (MMKN) members, elected representatives and civil servants during official state events and functions.
State executive councillor for culture and heritage Borhan Aman Shah said a proposal will be presented to the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, for His Royal Highness’ approval.
“We plan to present the proposal paper to the Sultan of Selangor for His Royal Highness’ consent, and then table it during the Selangor State Legislative Assembly for gazettement as the state’s official attire,” he said.
Borhan was speaking after officiating the one-day workshop on batik weaving and colouring for Selangor Batik with the Bunga Tanjung motif, at the Sultan Alam Shah Museum earlier today.
The councillor also plans to market Selangor Batik to popularise it as an attire to be worn by all walks of life in the future.
“InsyaAllah, this batik with the Bunga Tanjung motif will be sold at museum kiosks all over Selangor for domestic and foreign tourists to buy either as souvenirs or for personal use,” he said.
Apart from Selangor Batik, Borhan also encouraged all local authorities and state government agencies to make nasi ambeng the main dish in official ceremonies.
“We urge and encourage all local authorities and state government agencies to make nasi ambeng as the main dish in every event, so that it can be promoted as Selangor’s official culinary identity,” he said.
During the workshop, Perbadanan Adat Melayu dan Warisan Negeri Selangor (Padat) in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) produced a 12-metres long Selangor Batik with Bunga Tanjung motif.
Borhan said 30 UiTM students participated in the workshop which was also conducted in cooperation with the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation.
“The handiwork of these students will be displayed in the near future. The purpose is to introduce the Bunga Tanjung to the public as the state official flower,” he said.
The nine-petalled Bunga Tanjung is one of the key elements in the architectural design of the Selangor royal palace.
