The Hasanah Gold Threads Awards 2024 celebrated Malaysian textile excellence with a grand event at Rumah Tangsi. The exhibition showcased over 150 submissions nationwide.
Hasanah Gold Threads Awards 2024 shines light on Malaysia’s textile talents
With the resounding success of last year’s debut, the highly anticipated Hasanah Gold Threads Awards (HGTA) returned to celebrate excellence in Malaysian heritage textiles and to spur innovation and creativity.
The event reached its zenith with a dinner held at the historic Rumah Tangsi in Kuala Lumpur on September 5, honouring the exceptional talents within the Malaysian heritage textile industry.
The awards venue, appropriately chosen for this heritage crafts event, is an eye-catching mansion with a bright yellow exterior and a European-styled architectural façade. The beautiful heritage Rumah Tangsi was originally built as the residence of Loke Chow Kit, one of Kuala Lumpur’s prominent entrepreneurial figures in the early 20th century.
Presented by Yayasan Hasanah, HGTA aligns with its overarching goal of invigorating national identity by mainstreaming Malaysian arts, heritage, and culture. By making these art forms accessible to all, and galvanising recognition and support for Malaysia’s rich textile traditions — especially among younger generations — Yayasan Hasanah has, in fact, reintroduced heritage textiles to the everyday rakyat, extending beyond the textile scene.
The event was graced by the presence of Tan Sri Md Nor Yusof, Chairman of Yayasan Hasanah. Also present were the trustees of Yayasan Hasanah.
“The second edition of the HGTA reaffirms our dedication to preserving and promoting Malaysia’s cultural heritage, especially our diverse textile traditions. In addition to the 18 awards presented last year, this year has unveiled two new supplementary awards — Youth Achievement and Sustainability Gold Awards — celebrating excellence in craftsmanship while promoting a national identity that underscores the role of our youth and sustainable practices.
“The Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hasanah Gold Award, returned this year, continuing to honour those who have made significant contributions to our textile heritage,” said Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki, Trustee and Managing Director of Yayasan Hasanah.
This year, the Hasanah Gold Award was presented to Adiguru Ngot Bi. A double award winner of the HGTA 23/24 for her exquisite plaitings, this 92-year-old is recognised as an Adiguru Kraf Negara by Kraftangan Malaysia and has been accredited as a Sarawak Living Legend by the Sarawak government.
“Additionally, while the initial boost from prize philanthropy is valuable in garnering participation, what really makes a difference are the lasting connections made between artisans and key industry players. This celebration of our artisans strengthens our cultural fabric and supports the growth of our creative economy.”
Jointly produced by Tanoti and the ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA), HGTA 2024 was launched in April, with the nationwide rollout of HGTA 2024 activations featuring a four-month exhibition, workshops, and residencies from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, showcasing the winners from the inaugural 2023 awards. These events successfully captured the interest of heritage textile communities across the nation, as evidenced by the 158 submissions this year in the six categories: Supplementary Weft, Ikat, Drawing and Stamping, Embroidery and Embellishment, Plaiting, and Beadwork.
In the two years since its inception, HGTA has proven to be a key initiative not only for sustainable conservation but, equally importantly, for promoting viability in the creative economic sector.
HGTA 2023 winners have secured residencies and fellowships, proving that award recognition can translate into cross-industry collaborations with designers, AHC agencies, and material producers, enabling winners to further develop their skills and capacity.
This year’s winning submissions, entitled Bebenang Masa (Threads of Time), were open to the public from September 5 to 8 at Rumah Tangsi. At the winners’ exhibition, we were able to interview some of the winners and take a closer look at their handicrafts.
Dr Kenny Loh, a Peranakan from Penang, said his hands trembled when he received the message that he had won in the Beadwork Best Innovative category for his Nyonya beaded piece depicting two beautiful peacocks.
Ina Sendar, a former kindergarten teacher from Kuching, who was encouraged to join by Kraftangan Kuching, is a relatively new producer and was very pleased to receive a Special Mention Award for her beadwork featuring dragon motifs.
Ranee of Kuching, in collaboration with rural communities, won two awards. The Plaiting Innovative award was won with the Biro Wanita Kerapa Spak Sarawak Weavers, and the Plaiting Special Mention with the Biro Wanita Rian Batang Sarawak.
HGTA 2024 winners
- Supplementary Weft Traditional – Dr June Ngo, Ong Wan Fen and Syamimi Razali (Sarawak), ages 54, 33, and 33 respectively
- SuppIementary Weft Innovative – Mazuki Ma Hassan, Kompleks Tenun Pahang (Pahang), age 38
- Supplementary Weft Special Mention – Ong Wan Fen and Syamimi Razali (Sarawak), ages 33
- lkat Traditional – Ejah Jepon (Sarawak), age 56
- lkat Innovative – Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Razali, Kompleks Tenun Pahang DiRaja Penjara Penor (Pahang), age 39
- lkat Special Mention – Adiguru Natipah @ Nortipah Abdul Kadir (Pahang), age 79
- Drawing & Stamping Traditional – Mohd Azwarin Ahmed (Terengganu), age 43
- Drawing & Stamping Innovative – Michael Lim Tiang Aik (Sarawak), age 86
- Drawing & Stamping Special Mention – Mahunsin Mohamad, Kompleks Songket Penjara (Terengganu), age 50
- Embroidery & Embellishment Traditional – Adiguru Salbiah Muhi (Sarawak), age 72
- Embroidery & Embellishment Innovative – Danny Mohamad Zulkifli (Sarawak), age 44
- Embroidery & Embellishment Special Mention – Adiguru Crisna Mojupi (Sabah), age 54
- Plaiting Traditional – Adiguru Ngot Bi (Sarawak), age 92
- Plaiting Innovative – The Ranee x Biro Wanita Kerapa Spak Sarawak Weavers (Sarawak), ages 40-77, and designer, 48
- Plaiting Special Mention – The Ranee x Biro Wanita Rian Batang Sarawak Weavers (Sarawak), ages 73 and 68, and designer, 48
- Beadwork Traditional – Juliana Embrose (Sarawak), age 57
- Beadwork Innovative – Dr Kenny Loh (Penang), age 45
- Beadwork Special Mention – Ina Sendar (Sarawak) Age 45
Supplementary awards
- Youth Achievement – Nor Haimah Mohammad (Sarawak), age 22
- Sustainability Gold – Helen Manjan Atong (Sarawak), age 66
- Hasanah Gold Award (Lifetime Achievement Award) Adiguru Ngot Bi (Sarawak), age 92
