KUCHING – Her Majesty Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj visited the Jumaani Pavilion this week, underscoring the monarchy’s commitment to advancing Sarawak’s weaving traditions and strengthening the creative industry.
Arriving in Kuching as part of a four-day official programme, the Queen Consort toured the Jumaani Pavilion Production Centre, which has become a focal point for high-quality songket weaving. The centre is recognised for nurturing artisans and promoting Sarawak’s textile heritage to wider audiences.
During the engagement, Tunku Azizah observed live demonstrations of weaving and sewing techniques by emerging talents.
The showcase highlighted how younger generations are embracing traditional Malay and Bornean artistry while adapting it for contemporary relevance.
The Queen has previously advocated for the establishment of a Sarawak Songket Institute to safeguard weaving traditions and encourage youth participation.
The occasion also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre of Excellence for Technical Sarawak (CENTEXS) and the Tun Jugah Foundation.
The partnership aims to expand training opportunities, enhance skills transfer, and ensure the sustainability of heritage-based textile crafts.
Officials described the collaboration as a strategic move to build human capital and position the creative sector as a driver of the culture-based economy.
Sarawak recently hosted the inaugural Borneo International Textile Festival 2025, where Tunku Azizah delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of weaving heritage in regional identity and economic growth.
The festival brought together artisans, designers, and cultural institutions, further cementing the state’s role as a hub for textile innovation.
The Jumaani Pavilion, established as a centre for fashion and heritage, continues to attract attention for its role in preserving traditional crafts while supporting modern design initiatives.
The royal visit is expected to elevate its profile nationally and internationally, reinforcing Sarawak’s reputation as a custodian of weaving excellence.
By aligning heritage preservation with creative industry development, Sarawak is positioning itself to compete globally while ensuring that traditional crafts remain relevant for future generations.
The Queen’s presence in Kuching has been widely seen as a symbol of encouragement for artisans and institutions working to sustain this cultural legacy.
