AHEAD OF NATIONAL DAY, CORPORATE BATIK DESIGN CHALLENGE CELEBRATES HERITAGE AND EMPOWERS YOUNG TALENT

SEPANG – In celebration of Malaysia’s vibrant cultural heritage and its commitment to fostering local creative talent, Malaysia Airports organised a Corporate Batik Design Challenge, inviting fashion and design students nationwide to reinterpret corporate attire with batik motifs, blending heritage with modern professionalism.

The initiative reflects Malaysia Airports’ dual commitment: elevating its corporate identity and providing a meaningful platform for young designers to showcase their creativity and gain valuable industry exposure. Beyond cultural preservation, it offers students a career springboard into the fashion and design field.

According to Managing Director Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, “As the nation’s airport operator, our role goes beyond managing airports. We carry the responsibility of shaping how the world sees Malaysia. Batik is part of that story. It is our heritage, our pride, and our identity expressed through design.

“This challenge is also about talent, creativity, and giving the next generation a platform to reimagine tradition in fresh, modern ways. With National Day just days away, this celebration reminds us of what unites us as Malaysians, our culture, our creativity, and our pride.”

Themed “Batik in Business: Weaving Culture into Our Corporate Identity,” the challenge saw each participating institution submit their top three designs, creatively integrating Malaysian batik into contemporary corporate wear. From these, 10 entries were shortlisted based on originality, brand alignment, and practicality.

The finalists were invited to a Design Immersion Workshop at Sama-Sama Hotel, KLIA, facilitated by Hatta Dolmat, who provided students with professional guidance on their initial submissions, helping them refine their ideas into final looks for the competition.

At the finale fashion show this evening, their creations were unveiled before a judging panel led by Hatta Dolmat.

The top three winners received cash prizes totaling RM10,000, with the winning design standing the chance to be adopted as part of Malaysia Airports’ corporate attire.

This collaboration between industry and education not only highlights the creative potential of Malaysia’s youth but also reinforces the importance of keeping cultural heritage alive in modern forms. By encouraging young designers to reinterpret batik for today’s world, the Batik Design Challenge strengthens national pride and ensures that tradition continues to inspire future generations.