3 months ago
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KUCHING: The Bukit Saban constituency has taken a significant approach to position itself as a prominent hub for the production of Baju Dabong (Baju kebaya) dress making.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the Bukit Saban assemblyman recently acknowledged the role of his wife, Datuk Doreen Mayang, in reviving the popularity and making of this traditional attire.
“Since 2016, around 265 women from approximately 25 longhouses have been trained in this traditional craft and been given sewing machine to further their dress-making endeavors and enhance their skills.
“The Kebaya dress is still popular among women in Indonesia and in the nation, it has very good income earning potentials,” he said during a certificate presentation ceremony to 20 participants from the longhouses that had completed their Baju Dabong making course yesterday (July 27).
He shared that during his visit to a Kebaya store in Singapore, his wife asked if the store owner would be interested in purchasing dresses from Sarawak.
“The owner replied in the affirmative but wanted assurance on the quantity besides quality. Therefore, we must consistently upgrade our production standards,” he said.
To achieve this, Uggah highlighted the importance of integrating new technology into the production process.
“My wife had recently acquired a computerised sewing machine which helped a participant to complete a Kebaya dress in three days compared to the two weeks if she used the regular sewing machine,” he explained.
In collaboration with Betong Member of Parliament Dr Richard Rapu, Uggah is exploring the establishment of a center that would provide access to more computerised sewing machines.
“We will be looking at the various marketing platforms, including through the internet.
“But I am glad the Sarawak branch of the National Handicraft Centre has indicated its readiness to help,” Uggah stated.
Also present was Political Secretary to Premier Roselind Mapong Sabai.
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