Friday, November 20, 2015

Sabah Handicraft Centre takes ‘Sabah Batik’ to the next level


KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Handicraft Centre or Pusat Kraftangan Sabah (PKS) through Kristal Handal Sdn. Bhd has made Sabah proud by being the only Batik producer from Sabah to receive the Batik Malaysia MS 692:2007 certification.

Held recently at the Malaysia Handicrafts Development Corporation (MHDC) Kelantan branch at Kota Bahru, Kelantan, the ceremony was the premier event of its kind in Malaysia.

Fifty one out of 604 Batik producers in the country have passed the MHDC standard laboratory tests which allow them to obtain the certification, the most important benchmark of product quality and authenticity, which indirectly enhances consumer confidence.

According to the Director of Yayasan Sabah Datuk Sapawi Ahmad, Batik Malaysia MS 692:2007 certification, the standard developed in cooperation with SIRIM Bhd and the Department of Standards Malaysia, is subject to strict criteria.

“The Batik producers are required to go through 11 lab tests for each fabric within six months. The quality standards specify the material requirements, technique specifications, processes, methods and textile labelling which are defined as ‘Malaysia Batik’,” he explained.

“The tests involve colour fading test, liquid extract pH test, waste disposal test, water solubility, dimensional stability and textile strength of finished product,” he added.

Being the only Batik producer in Sabah to receive the certification, PKS has definitely brought ‘Sabah Batik’, which is known for its uniqueness and authenticity of local motif patterns to another level.

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