Adnan wants Royal Pahang Weaving to be patented

KUANTAN: The Tenun Pahang Diraja (Royal Pahang Weaving) has to be patented for it to become an exclusive identity of Pahang.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said it was timely for the product to be mass produced but it must be done without sacrificing its exclusive image as finished products such as official attire, handbags, shoes and souvenirs. He said its production centre’s research and development unit also had to widen its scope of research including marketing plans, promotions and finding ways on how to make the mixture of colours of its string long-lasting.

First hand view: Adnan looking at the weaving process after opening the centre in Kampong Sungai Soi, Kuantan.

“All finished products of the Royal Pahang Weaving have to maintain its traditional characteristics. “Its development team also has to find ways of making the products affordable as its current prices are quite exclusive and could only be purchased by certain groups in the society,’’ Adnan said after opening the centre at Kampung Sungai Soi here. He said despite its prestige, the products of the Royal Pahang Weaving should also be available in the market.

“Currently, customers have to wait for weeks to own the products because of its high demand which are not synchronised with the production as it is still manually produced. “However, its quality should still be top priority should machines be used in its production,” said Adnan. He said the government had set up an advisory council and executive committee in the centre to be led by state executive councillor Datuk Shafik Fauzan Sharif to check and monitor the quality of the products.

During the ceremony, Adnan also officially named the centre as “Pusat Kecemerlangan Tenun Pahang Diraja Tunku Azizah” in recognition of the efforts taken by Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar in promoting its heritage. Adnan said through her aggressive efforts, the centre had produced many new talents in the art of weaving with the opening of the Institusi Tenun Pahang Diraja Tengku Ampuan Afzan.

“Tunku Azizah’s initiave had also lifted the Royal Pahang Weaving’s prestige and status to an even higher level when it was officially recognised as ‘royal’ in 2006 to produce textiles that are more exclusive and special,’’ he said. Royal Pahang Weaving was originally used in crafting the attire of the royal family, chiefs and nobles. In the present day, it had became a versatile woven product of various design patterns without compromising its traditional characteristics.

-thestar online.