ALOR STAR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s favourite “songkok”, dubbed “Songkok Style Tun”, being sold at the Pekan Rabu Complex here has become a brand to be reckoned with.
Inspired to create the headgear in 2002, Sardi Sahar, 60, said he uses a thick velvet fabric from Korea to make the songkok, which can be folded by just pressing its sides without affecting the shape.
“Tun (Dr Mahathir) has always dropped by Pekan Rabu to buy the songkok here. Prior to this, it was just an ordinary songkok until 2002 when I created one (with a difference) so that it is lighter and foldable. Later, I introduced it to Tun and he liked it!
“In fact, I was touched in 2008 when Tun allowed me to use his picture on the packaging without imposing any payment. He just told me to maintain the quality of this songkok,” he told Bernama at the Pekan Rabu Complex here today.
Sardi said the songkok, priced at RM120, would be in a high demand ahead of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration each year.
Interestingly, he said the demand for the songkok has increased by about 30 per cent after the 14th General Election when Dr Mahathir was appointed as prime minister for the second time.
“In fact, I have prepared 1,000 units in advance for the (Hari Raya) celebration, which were delivered to several states such as Johor, as the demand over there has been really good.”
Meanwhile, one of his customers, Datuk Bahador A Rahaman from Langkawi said he had been a regular buyer and very keen on Sardi’s fine products.
“Today, I bought a songkok for my son because I love the workmanship. It’s not warm and would not make you perspire.
“The most important thing is that it would not shrink when you leave it in the car,” he said, adding that he felt so proud when his family members also wore the same songkok worn by the Malaysian prime minister from Kedah.
– BERNAMA