Efforts to support local artisans in Malaysia are gaining renewed attention as changing consumer habits, particularly the rise of online shopping, pose challenges to traditional craft industries. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh emphasized the importance of backing homegrown crafters during the Malaysia International Craft Fair (MICF) 2026, which took place recently at the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex in Jalan Conlay.
Yeoh highlighted that purchasing handcrafted products helps artisans earn a sustainable income while preserving traditional craft skills. "Many of us purchase things online as it’s convenient and affordable," she said, "but when you buy handcrafted products made by local crafters, you are empowering them." The minister also pointed out that locally made crafts offer reasonably priced alternatives for consumers.
The two-week-long MICF 2026, which concluded on October 5, attracted thousands of craft enthusiasts. The event showcased the work of 400 craft entrepreneurs, including 300 from across Malaysia and 100 international participants from countries such as China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkiye, and Colombia. This year’s fair, themed “Crafting Heritage, Inspiring Tomorrow,” emphasized the evolution of traditional crafts through creative design and expanded market access.
A dedicated section of the fair featured community-based artisans from various Malaysian states, presenting traditional crafts such as handwoven mats, batik, and intricate beadwork. While the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex serves as a cultural and craft hub, Yeoh expressed hope that more trade fairs and exhibitions could be held there regularly, providing artisans nationwide a platform to reach broader audiences. She noted the convenience for tourists who could access diverse crafts under one roof without traveling between states.
Sharing her experience, Penan rattan basket weaver Rinai Madun, 48, from Kampung Long Luteng in Baram, Sarawak, supported the call for such a permanent venue. Rinai explained the labor-intensive nature of her craft, which involves sourcing rattan deep in the jungle, sometimes requiring overnight stays, followed by lengthy weaving processes. Despite spending about two days crafting a seven-inch square basket, she said earnings amount to less than RM25 per day, excluding material sourcing time, and lamented the common practice of customers bargaining down prices.
Rinai and her sister Helen Maidun, 45, made the journey from their remote village—accessible only via logging roads and several hours’ travel—to participate in the fair. The sisters noted the stark contrast between their forest surroundings and the Kuala Lumpur urban environment, with Helen remarking on seeing the PETRONAS Twin Towers for the first time. Their limited familiarity with digital platforms and marketing tools underscores the challenges faced by rural artisans in expanding their reach.
A 2025 report titled “Weaving Change: Enhancing Economic Empowerment Among Penan Weavers,” published by The Reach Alliance, highlighted the logistical and financial difficulties for Penan crafters in accessing urban markets due to remote living conditions. Helen expressed hope for increased local support in promoting their products while noting generational concerns, as younger community members often prefer urban employment over traditional craftwork. The physical demands and risks involved in gathering materials, including encounters with wildlife and leeches, further discourage younger participation.
The experiences of the Madun sisters illuminate broader challenges confronting Malaysia’s traditional craft communities, underscoring the need for sustained initiatives to preserve heritage crafts and support artisans’ livelihoods. Establishing permanent platforms like the Kuala Lumpur Craft Complex as focal points for craft exhibitions could enhance visibility and economic opportunities for artisans from across the country, benefiting both producers and consumers alike.