KUCHING: Sarawakian artisans bagged 14 out of 21 award categories at the Hasanah Gold Threads Awards (HGTA) 2024 held in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Sept 5).
Among the highlights was 92-year-old Adiguru Ngot Bi, who received the prestigious Hasanah Gold Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) for her exceptional plaiting work.
She was also a double award winner of the HGTA 23/24 for her exquisite plaitings, alongside a win under the Plaiting Traditional category.
Ngot Bi, a revered Adiguru Kraf Negara by Kraftangan Malaysia and recognised as a Sarawak Living Legend by the Sarawak government, continues to inspire with her craftsmanship.
Sarawakians Helen Manjan Atong, 66, and Nor Haimah Mohammad, 22, also made waves, winning the two new supplementary awards namely Sustainability Gold Award and Youth Achievement Award respectively.
The new awards, unveiled at the HGTA, celebrate excellence in craftsmanship, promoting a national identity and underscoring the roles of youth and sustainable practices in the industry.
Among the other notable Sarawakian winners were Dr. June Ngo, Ong Wan Fen, and Syamimi Razali, who secured the Supplementary Weft Traditional Award. Ong and Syamimi also received the Supplementary Weft Special Mention Award.
Ejah Jepon won the Ikat Traditional Award, while Micheal Lim Tiang Aik took home the Drawing and Stamping Innovative Award.
Adiguru Salbiah Muhi claimed the Embroidery and Embellishment Traditional Award, with Danny Mohamad Zulkifli winning the Embroidery and Embellishment Innovative Award.
The Ranee x Biro Wanita Kerapa Spak and The Ranee x Biro Wanita Rian Batang were recognised with the Plaiting Innovative and Plaiting Special Mention awards respectively.
In the beadwork category, Juliana Embrose was named Best Beadwork Traditional winner, and Ina Sendar took the Beadwork Special Mention Award.
