Weaving Heritage: Orang Asli Crafts Go Global

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 (Bernama) — What began as a deep appreciation for the handcrafted heritage of the Orang Asli has grown into an internationally recognised enterprise for Hanim Apeng, better known as Mak Intan.

Today, the 54-year-old from the Jakun-Jahut community stands proudly behind Asli Mak Intan Enterprise, a venture that brings together and markets traditional Orang Asli crafts from across Peninsular Malaysia — preserving ancestral skills while helping communities generate sustainable income.

“As a representative of the 18 Orang Asli tribes in the Peninsula, I feel a responsibility to introduce these crafts to the wider world,” she said when met by Bernama at the recent Festival Irama Asli & Asal 2025 here.

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Mak Intan’s journey into the world of crafts began in childhood, accompanying her parents into the forest to gather wood and weaving materials. Over time, those early experiences were refined through participation in various classes and workshops.

“I grew up in a family that ran businesses and placed great importance on education. My parents always encouraged us to seek knowledge,” she said.

Her entrepreneurial spirit, she added, was largely shaped by watching her mother’s perseverance in earning a living through multiple small businesses.

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Today, Asli Mak Intan Enterprise produces a wide range of items, including woven mats, blowpipe and traditional village house replicas, handmade soaps, snacks and creatively upcycled products that complement traditional crafts. The enterprise also offers accessories such as tanjak (traditional headgear), bracelets and keychains, with prices starting from RM12.

A mother of three, Mak Intan said many of the products on display are her own creations, while others are sourced directly from fellow Orang Asli artisans and marketed collectively.

“When their crafts are accepted and appreciated by buyers, it builds confidence among these small-scale producers to keep going,” she said.

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Support from the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA), Tourism Malaysia and Kraftangan Malaysia has played a key role in expanding the reach of these products to international markets, including Indonesia, Australia, London and Germany, through platforms such as the World Travel Market. 

Looking ahead, Mak Intan said her focus has shifted towards training and mentoring new entrepreneurs, particularly within the Orang Asli community, by teaching basic business skills and helping improve product presentation.

“About 30 Orang Asli entrepreneurs in Peninsular Malaysia have been identified, and some are now moving forward together to develop crafts unique to their own communities,” she said.

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A former Telekom Malaysia employee, Mak Intan stressed that the Orang Asli community must be willing to step out of their comfort zones and seize available opportunities to build a better future.

“If we continue with a ‘wait-and-see’ mentality, we will not succeed. To move forward, we must work alongside others and put in genuine effort,” she said.

She also underscored the importance of education in ensuring the Orang Asli community has confidence and a voice within the country’s development landscape.

“Without sufficient education, people are not going to listen to you. With proper education, God willing, the Orang Asli will succeed one day — and that is when their voices will truly be heard,” she said.

— BERNAMA