KUCHING – Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, together with his daughter, Puan Dayang Norjihan binti Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari, today attended the Presentation Ceremony of the memory book “The Revival of Songket & Keringkam Sarawak: Honouring Datuk Amar Juma’ani.”
The ceremony was organised to honour the remarkable contributions of Datuk Amar Juma’ani in elevating Sarawak’s traditional textile arts, particularly songket and keringkam. The memory book chronicles his journey, expertise, and dedication to preserving the state’s rich textile heritage, ensuring it remains significant for both present and future generations.
During the event, YB Dato’ Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts, handed over the book to the Premier of Sarawak. The symbolic gesture was a token of appreciation and recognition of Datuk Amar Juma’ani’s lifelong efforts in promoting Sarawak’s cultural identity through textile arts.
Following the handover, the Premier and his children explored the Textile Showcase & Heritage 2025 at Dewan Sri Sarawak. The exhibition featured a wide array of traditional textiles, including songket, keringkam, ethnic weaving, and innovative designs emerging from the local textile industry. The showcase highlighted the skill, creativity, and dedication of Sarawak’s artisans in ensuring the survival and relevance of traditional handicrafts.
The event concluded with an interactive session between the Premier and local textile art practitioners, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to safeguarding Sarawak’s cultural heritage. The gathering also emphasized the importance of combining creativity, innovation, and strategic commercialization to strengthen the local textile industry.
Sarawak’s textile legacy continues to be celebrated and promoted as a vital part of the state’s identity, with leaders and artisans working hand in hand to preserve it for generations to come.
