19/12/2025

FRIDAY | DEC 19, 2025

6

Boost for Orang Asli products

Festival to promote Rukun Negara values

o Entrepreneur brings together

KUALA LUMPUR: What began as appreciation for the handcrafted heritage of the Orang Asli has grown into an internationally recognised enterprise for Hanim Apeng, who is also known as Mak Intan. Today, the 54-year-old from the Jakun-Jahut community stands proudly behind Asli Mak Intan Enterprise, a creative venture that brings together and markets traditional Orang Asli craft from across Peninsular Malaysia, while preserving ancestral skills and helping indigenous communities generate sustainable income. “As a representative of the 18 Orang Asli communities in the peninsula, I feel a responsibility to introduce these products to the world,” she said when met by Bernama at the recent Festival Irama Asli & Asal. Her journey began in her childhood when she often accompanied her parents into the jungle to gather wood and weaving materials. Over time, those early experiences were refined through participation in various classes and workshops. “I grew up in a family that ran businesses and placed great importance on education. My parents always encouraged us to seek knowledge,” she said, adding that her entrepreneurial spirit was largely shaped by watching her mother’s perseverance in earning a living through multiple small businesses. Today, Asli Mak Intan Enterprise artisans and provides training on marketing skills to expand reach of handcraft items

KANGAR: The Rukun Negara Club Ethnic Music Festival serves as a platform to strengthen racial unity and promote appreciation of Rukun Negara values among the young generation through art and culture, said National Unity and Integration Department director-general Zulkifli Hashim. He said the festival shows that art and culture are not merely forms of entertainment, but also important tools for social and cultural education in building a harmonious society. “Every musical performance, martial arts movement and ethnic dance presented carries values of tolerance, love and the spirit of togetherness that must continue to be nurtured among students. “This festival is hoped to symbolise the strength of unity in diversity, while also instilling love for the country and the values of Madani Malaysia. “I call on all teachers, educators and students to continue being role models in their communities by using cultural activities such as this festival as a means to bring hearts closer, bridge differences and strengthen our togetherness as Malaysians,” he said when officiating at the state-level festival at Dataran Dato’ Sheikh Ahmad on Wednesday. The one-day festival featured 36 performances involving 30 schools, with several schools participating in more than one category, including traditional musical performances, martial arts and ethnic dances. Zulkifli said a total of 104 Rukun Negara clubs have been established in Perlis, involving 74 primary schools and 30 secondary schools, reflecting the government’s continued commitment to strengthening unity at the education level. – Bernama

Mak Intan said when the products are appreciated by buyers, it builds confidence among the small-scale producers to keep going. – BERNAMAPIC

produces a wide range of items that include woven mats, blowpipes, traditional village house replicas, handmade soap, snacks and creatively upcycled products that complement traditional crafts. The enterprise also offers various accessories such as tanjak (traditional headgear), bracelets and keychains, with prices starting from RM12. A mother of three, Mak Intan said many of the products on display are her own creations, while others are sourced directly from fellow Orang Asli artisans and the items are marketed collectively. “When their products are accepted and appreciated by buyers, it builds confidence among these small-scale producers to keep going.”

Mak Intan said support from the Orang Asli Development Department, Tourism Malaysia and Kraftangan Malaysia has played a key role in expanding the reach of the products to international markets, including Indonesia, Australia, the UK and Germany, through platforms such as the World Travel Market. Mak Intan added that her focus has shifted towards training and mentoring new entrepreneurs, particularly within the Orang Asli community, by teaching basic business skills and helping improve product presentation. “About 30 Orang Asli entrepreneurs in Peninsular Malaysia have been identified, and some are now moving forward together to develop crafts unique to

their own communities.” Mak Intan, who was a former Telekom Malaysia employee, stressed that the Orang Asli community must be willing to step out of their comfort zone and seize available opportunities to build a better future. “If we continue with a ‘wait-and see’ mentality, we will not succeed. To move forward, we must work alongside others and put in genuine effort,” she said. She also underscored the importance of education in ensuring the Orang Asli community has confidence and a voice within the country’s development landscape. “With proper education, God willing, the Orang Asli will succeed one day and that is when their voices will truly be heard.”