The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and MyCreative Ventures Group (MyCV) tonight announced the winners of the Batik Lestari Design Competition, an inaugural SC event to celebrate Malaysia’s rich heritage and to honour local batik artisans.
The winners received their prizes at the Malam Batik Lestari, the gala night marking the end of the nationwide Batik design competition which was held from 16 September to 31 October 2024.
Batik Lestari, an initiative between the SC and MyCV, aims to promote Malaysian batik on a global stage, aligning with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s call to elevate batik as a symbol of national pride and cultural heritage.
It also supports Malaysia’s upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, where some of the winning designs will be featured at the 2025 ASEAN Finance Ministers Meetings and related meetings.
The prizes were presented during the ceremony attended by about 400 people, including senior government officials, corporate leaders, fashion designers and batik artisans.
The grand prize winner is Muhammad Nazri bin Mat Nasir, who took home RM30,000 in cash and a trophy. The second and third prize winners are Athirahjuhari x Shudd and Elegen Dinamik, who took home RM15,000 and RM10,000 respectively and a trophy. Five contestants received consolation prizes of RM2,000 each.
The sustainable batik special mention award was accorded to Rozi bin Mohammad Nor and Elegen Dinamik for incorporating eco-friendly practices such as the use natural dyes and waste reduction in their batik-making process.
Guests during the ceremony also voted for their favourite designs for the ‘People’s Choice Award’.
More than 80 entries were judged on the overall presentation, cultural authenticity and creativity in adopting Malaysian motif elements by a seven-member panel of jury.
SC Chairman Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi said that Batik Lestari should not only inspire beautiful creations but ensure the creative and cultural industries can thrive in a modern yet circular economy.
“Batik Lestari echoes the broader values of Malaysia MADANI; the vision of a developed, inclusive, and compassionate Malaysia. One where our collective strength is reflected not only in our economy, but in the daily lives of our people and our art,” he said.
According to MyCV Chief Executive Officer Zainariah Johari, the essence of tradition lies not just in preservation but in evolution.
“The Batik Lestari initiative is more than just a celebration of batik; it is a platform for artisans and designers to redefine its boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with contemporary innovation,” she said.
“By fostering creativity and sustainability, we aim to empower a new generation of talent to carry forward this rich heritage onto the global stage, inspiring the world with the vibrant stories that would leave a lasting imprint on our minds like that of the batik block prints,” she said.
The celebration continues with a two-day Batik Lestari Festival, opened to the public from 5-6 December 2024 at the SC in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur. Admission is free.
Visitors can immerse themselves in a vibrant showcase of Malaysian batik through a variety of engaging activities and experiences, including:
- A batik exhibition showcasing the Batik Lestari Design Competition submissions
- Workshops on batik-making techniques
- Animated film, Batik Girl screening
- A curated batik market featuring brands like Bujins Batik, Fleur Batik, Udara Batik,
BatikTektura, KAWI, The Mokara, Ruzzgahara, Jadi Batik and Batik Boutique
offering pre-order services and ready-to-wear pieces.
For more information on Batik Lestari, visit www.batiklestari.my.
