KUCHING: The third edition of the Rainforest Fringe Festival (RFF) was launched in full spectacle and in the presence of Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
The Queen had come to see her one great pastime — the Lembaran Emas Songket and Keringkam of Sarawak runway showcase held at the new State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex.
Earlier Tunku Azizah was welcomed by Chief Minister’s wife Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang; Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; and Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Held as the opening gala under the series “Asas Melayu”, the fashion show presented the unique Sarawak songket and keringkam, featuring designs by ‘Malaysia’s King of Fashion’ Datuk Sri Bernas Chandran, Sarawak’s own ‘Queen of Bornean Fashion’ Datuk Tom Abang Saudi and exquisite Sarawak songket producer Tanoti House.
This showcase also featured Sarawak’s emerging textile artisans Manggees Collection, Tampan Keringkam, Keringkam Bahij and Seri Gedong Songket.
Her Majesty also visited a tie-in panel exhibition of songket and keringkam at the lobby which offered further insight into the rich textiles of Sarawak.
Abdul Karim in his speech said, “The essence of Sarawakians’ differences in cultures, customs, and traditions is what enriches our arts and artworks.
“Sarawak is truly blessed with the richness of its communities — each with its own significant and unique cultural practices. They are all important to Sarawak. We are made up of all these colourful varieties and differences.
“We are different yet the same. We started our journeys together, through the smooth and rough, and we will continue to appreciate our differences. That is the people of Sarawak.”
The launching event was graced by the presence of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg; his deputy Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and wife Datin Amar Doreen Mayang; State Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar and wife Datin Amar Datuk Fatimah Mohamad Iskandar; Coastal Road Assistant Minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi; Acting State Secretary Datuk Jaul Samion; Deputy State Secretary cum organising chairman Datuk Dr Sabariah Putit; Abdul Karim’s wife Datin Zuraini Abdul Jabbar; other dignitaries; and arts and culture enthusiasts from all over the world.
