Weaving is potentially a new economic resource

SARATOK, 19 September: Kebat weaving has the potential to be a new economic resource for local communities, as well as opening up opportunities to penetrate international markets through digital platforms.

Member of the Krian State Assembly (ADUN), Friday Belik, said that efforts to strengthen weaving skills should be carried out more seriously and on a larger scale as the results could potentially become the main source of income for participants.

He said the use of digital platforms also gives local weavers an opportunity to market products to overseas markets without relying entirely on physical sales.

"I'm asking us to do this on a massive and serious scale because it can be the main source of income.

"We also need to work with the government to market and sell these woven products.

"Our Iban bird coat has already penetrated the international market. So don't be afraid and worry even if you don't know where to sell it because now we can do business online through digital platforms", he said.

He said this while addressing the Weaving Summit of 1/2026, here today.

The programme is being run by the Serakup Dayak National Union (SDNU) and Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Saratok Branch through the Concrete Weaving Class Session 1/2026, which focuses on developing weaving skills and textile entrepreneurship.

A total of 37 participants successfully completed the training and received their graduation certificate.

Friday also hoped participants would continue to develop their skills and share knowledge about the community in their long-term homes.

The programme is expected to be continued to expand rural community participation in textile entrepreneurship, thereby expanding the potential of Kebat weaving as a local creative economic product.