The Traditional Baju Melayu, kain Sinjang

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam - Brunei-made Sinjang, a short-sarong worn over the men's traditional "Baju Melayu", is usually made from a woven material that still preserves its traditional make with the Brunei motifs as its design. However, a local entrepreneur has introduced a new innovative idea for the sinjang, by producing a Brunei batik sinjang made from cotton material. He is Awang Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, owner of Batik Desamas, that is known for producing Brunei batik materials for men's and women's wear.

Awang Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim first came up with the idea to produce Brunei batik sinjang using cotton material, after receiving feedbacks and encouragement from his customers especially the men who want to keep the sinjang with the Brunei traditional cultural attire, that suits the person who wear it, and that is practical and easy to maintain compared to other kinds of fabric such as silk and woven material. He still preserves the Brunei design in producing his batik by using the same motifs found on the Brunei woven cloths apart from experimenting on the use of local plants for his designs.

According to Awang Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, he received encouraging response from the local customers whenever he showed the samples of the cotton material with the new designs he created for the sinjang. Many of his customers urged him to increase his production with further improved material and design quality. He adopted the new idea for the sinjang as it is something that reflects the beauty of the Brunei traditional culture.

Awang Zainal Abidin said he felt proud when the batik with the Brunei traditional designs he produced were welcomed not only by the local community but also at the international market. He began promoting the Brunei batik sinjang through Expos and Art Exhibitions in and outside the country and had also marketed them two months ago. He is currently producing the designs for the Brunei Batik Sinjang using the digital technology that does not need too much manpower.

Aside from that, he combines his skill as a batik designer with the computerised technique that has assisted him greatly in producing his new product in the required quantity. Batik sinjang costs 60 dollars and above a piece and are available at the Batik Desamas at the Sumbangsih Mulia Building. Currently, Awang Zainal Abidin says he puts out about 15 to 20 designs on 100 metres of cloth, from which he can produce about 30 to 40 pieces of material for the sinjang.

source :

http://m.melayuonline.com/eng/news/read/12132/brunei-made-sinjang-a-traditional-baju-melayu

Funding Issue Hampers Batik Export Dreams

GAUGING from the interest expressed by foreign buyers, a batik textile entrepreneur is hoping to expand into the export market with additional funding from government sources. Without this extra financial assistance, Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim said he would not be able to meet demand although the business is export ready.

Batik prints from Batek Desamas. Pictures: Courtesy of Batek Desamas

Bringing in a bit of modernity and maintaining quality standards is helping the proprietor of Batik Desamas maintain his share of the niche market of batik textiles. With two months to go before his new designs are launched, the entrepreneur is confident he will be able to make the sales. To meet the demands of foreign buyers, however, Zainal said the business needs extra funding. 

In an interview with The Brunei Times, he said, "The demand is there; the people outside especially, (they are interested by the ) uniqueness of design and probably, they can see the difference in the design (compared to) other countries." 

He added, working with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) has enabled him to gain more exposure to foreign markets; but with increased interest comes the challenge of supplying beyond his current capacity. "The response was good (from foreign buyers) but this is only in terms of the demonstration, not selling," he said. "What I can see (however) is the demand, the opportunities." 

His outlet is located in Sumbangsih Mulia Building, Gadong but Zainal also has a space to sell his products at the Cruise Ship Centre in the Muara Port Terminal, giving him exposure to tourists, particularly European passengers. "They buy some of my material, so that is how I can evaluate (whether) they like the quality. To me it's quite interesting, because they went to so many places in the country, and of course they are very familiar with the material (and) what they want."

A majority of his customers say they are drawn to the quality of his batik products, he said.

He noted that the business hasn't made any "positive transactions" yet in terms of European foreign exports, but there are enquiries about price and how the designs differ from other batik products. Because he is operating in such a limited niche market, Zainal admits that in relative terms, his sales volumes may be mistaken for lack of good business. "I don't do volume, because my strength is quite limited so of course (with) the financing, I'm quite limited in that, I do whatever I can afford. But hopefully if I get help from other sources, probably, the production can increase." 

The businessman is now looking to experiment with new fabrics, in the hopes that international and regional buyers will be caught by the batik 'bug'. 

Zainal said that he is now experimenting with a new type of cotton that has textural qualities akin to silk. "The cotton that I use ... will be more interesting; the material is outsourced from Europe," he said, adding that he was also "quite interested to see it, because I've never seen it before". 

"When I bought this material, and I tried to make my product into the batik (and) it looks quite interesting. I'm really quite surprised. That's why I feel, if (this product is) already in the market, it would be sellable - this would be something people are looking for and it's suited to the community here in Brunei." While the imported material would add to his costs, Zainal is confident he can make the necessary adjusments in other areas. The important thing right now is to plan for expansion into the export market. 

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/business-national/2010/06/13/funding-issue-hampers-export-dreams

Brunei's Art Showcases by Batik designer

Brunei's batik designer Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim (R) being filmed by China Central Television (CCTV), while decorating his 'batik' in the Brunei Pavilion

A BRUNEIAN batik artist plans to design the traditional textile made from wax-resist dye for the Brunei Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo.

Zainal Abidin Hj Ibrahim, who was invited by the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) to the Shanghai Expo, said that he is still coming up with a concept on the batik's design.

"I know that there are some specific landmarks that Shanghai is identified with, and there are also landmarks that Brunei is identified with," Zainal told The Brunei Times at the Brunei Pavilion yesterday.

"I think it will be fitting to design something that merges the two cultures on one piece of batik, especially now that Brunei is introducing itself to the whole world in Shanghai. A batik that has both Brunei and Shanghai on it will suit the occasion perfectly," he added.

The batik designer further said that he plans to present the cross-cultural batik to the Brunei Pavilion as a gift, so that it displayed to reflect the friendship between Brunei and China.

"This design will be especially for the Brunei Pavilion, and for the expo. It symbolises the point where Brunei meets Shanghai," he said.

Besides showcasing his products and design, Zainal also hopes that the expo will provide the opportunity for him to not just expand his business, but also broaden his creativity.

BEDB's other invited guest to the Brunei Pavilion is Hj Sabli Hj Omar, who is attracting many visitors to his counter while he displays his skills and dexterity with his carving knives.

Asked of his goal or objectives for participating in the Shanghai Expo, Hj Sabli expressed his aim to do Brunei proud.

"I feel very proud to be representing Brunei, and I hope I will make Brunei proud in this world event as well," said Hj Sabli.

Many visitors to the Brunei Pavilion have been asking if his works are for sale, but currently they are not sold at the moment.

"Many people wanted to buy my works, but we're not selling them now. We might sell them later during the expo, but for the moment, the visitors should just enjoy the art of Brunei," he added.

The experienced woodcraft artisan is hoping that he can expand his artistic works into other markets, beginning with the World Expo, which expects to attract about 70 million visitors in six months.

With the Brunei Pavilion welcoming another 15,000 visitors yesterday, the stage was set for both Bruneian artists to showcase not just their skills, but also Brunei's arts and traditions to the world.

The Brunei Times
http://www.bt.com.bn/news-national/2010/05/07/batik-designer-showcases-bruneis-art