Malaysian batik took centre stage at the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 Gala Dinner on 26 May, with national leaders and dignitaries from across Southeast Asia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Timor Leste, and China donning specially commissioned batik attire designed by Masterpiece by Masrina Abdullah.

The event marked one of the first major ceremonial occasions under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, highlighting the country’s commitment to cultural diplomacy. The batik design, selected through a competitive process led by Wisma Putra and Yayasan Budi Penyayang, was chosen from submissions by alumni of the prestigious Piala Seri Endon batik design competition.

Founder Masrina Abdullah and her team submitted six original concepts before one design was shortlisted by the Prime Minister’s Office and refined in close consultation with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who selected the final colour palette. The resulting design draws inspiration from the traditional mengkuang mat, a symbol of hospitality, with checkered patterns and subtle camouflage motifs representing the natural harmony of land, sea, and sky across ASEAN.

Combining traditional hand-drawn batik with block printing, the final attire balances artisanal integrity with scalable production. This hybrid method supports both economic practicality and artistic quality, aligning with the MADANI administration’s goals of cultural elevation and fiscal responsibility.

Masrina Abdullah described batik as more than fabric, calling it “an identity, a legacy, and part of the economy.” Co-founder and Creative Director Mayamin Azlan added that preserving traditional techniques while adapting them to the digital era reflects how Malaysia’s creative industries can contribute to the nation’s broader development goals.

The showcase reflects Malaysia’s broader effort to use cultural heritage as a platform for economic growth and international engagement. By highlighting local craft on a diplomatic stage, the initiative positions Malaysian batik not only as a symbol of tradition and unity but also as a tool for soft power and regional collaboration.