KUALA LUMPUR: An overwhelming 63 per cent of people surveyed by New Straits Times Online agreed that employees in the public sector should wear batik to work least once a week to help boost the traditional industry and promote the cultural heritage.
The online poll that opened on Saturday and ended at 4pm today (Sunday) saw 1,717 Facebook and Twitter making their voice heard loud and clear, echoing the suggestion made by Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi on Saturday.
On the NST Online Twitter platform, 63 per cent out of 299 people voted “yes” to the suggestion for private sector workers to wear batik to work.
The survey on NST Online Facebook platform saw almost a neck and neck results, with 53 per cent out of 1,415 votes voted “no” while the remaining 47 said “yes” to wearing batik.
Among those who are happy to wear batik to work was Aida Hayati Daud, who wrote: “It is definitely a way to boost batik industry that carries Malaysia identity, in fact I have been discussing this topic with my students.”
Another user, Puspa Puspa said: “I am all for batik all year round. Government offices, counter services and those in the frontline services (should wear batik) -- great conversation piece, even as informal wear too, when hosting foreigners.”
Chong Siew Lian commented that she loved batik and wore it all the time.
“Tailor-made batik, it is beautiful, easy to iron and not expensive.”
Another user Fau Zan commented: “Encourage (wearing of batik) is okay, but please do not make it compulsory,” he said.
John Shum, however, believed that it was important to make sure that the private sector players were in agreement to the initiative before making any implementation.
“It might not be suitable or practical to some (private sectors), but regardless, I love batik myself too,” he commented.
Another user, Hiu Chee Keong said he welcomed the idea as long as the workers were not made compulsory to wear batik.
For Abu Navara the move was a good one and hoped companies in the private sector would also play their part and help their employees wear batik.
Yesterday (Saturday), Mohamaddin said the ministry encouraged workers in the private sector to wear batik once a week as currently being practiced by the civil servants.
He said although ministry had yet to hold discussions with the private sector players, he believed the government’s intention would be well received by them.
The Silam MP said the move is aimed at helping the batik industry to continue expanding in the country and abroad.