Bukit Saban to be transformed as ‘baju dabong’ hub to revive kebaya legacy

KUCHING (July 27): The Bukit Saban constituency in Betong will be transformed into a ‘baju dabong’ production hub, announced Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

Uggah, who is also the Bukit Saban assemblyman, said 265 women from 25 longhouses in his constituency had been trained in the craft and practice of sewing and embroidering the traditional kebaya since 2016.

“They have been given a sewing machine each to assist them to continue their kebaya-making and to upgrade their skills,” he said when officiating at ‘baju dabong’ tailoring course in Betong today.

The course this year was joined by some 20 participants from the Bukit Saban constituency and was first initiated by Uggah’s wife, Dato Doreen Mayang, who sought to revive the production of the traditional attire.

According to Uggah, the kebaya is still popular among women in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Thus, he believed that the making of this classic kebaya posed great potential to generate a good income for the local community.

Citing a visit to a kebaya store in Singapore recently, he said his wife had asked the store owner if he would consider buying Sarawak-made kebaya, to which the store owner had given his affirmative reply but wanted assurance on the products’ quantity and quality.

For that, Uggah expressed his optimism of the product’s potential and would look into ways to increase productivity and market the end products.

“We must consistently upgrade our production standard, as well as to scout for relevant new technology such as in getting computerised sewing machines,” he said.

Adding on, Uggah said that he and Betong MP Dr Richard Rapu had been looking into establishing a centre for this craft community to create these products using computerised sewing machines.

“I am glad that the Sarawak branch of the National Handicraft Centre has indicated its readiness to help,” he disclosed.