The Minister Of Communication And Information Admits Daily Use Batik Because It's Comfortable

Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi admitted that he was comfortable using batik in his daily life. He even admitted that he also uses batik every day.

"I am a fan of batik, comfortable wearing batik every day," said Budi at the Merdeka Palace yard, Jakarta, Sunday night, October 1.

According to him, the Indonesian people should be proud of batik which is rich in cultural values and contains a strong philosophy.

The cultural wealth in batik, he said, had been explored for a long time by the ancestors of the Indonesian nation so that batik must be preserved.

Budi also invited the public to use and buy batik so as to provide economic benefits, not only to craftsmen, but also to tailors and batik business actors.

"We have to improve this. As soon as we buy one batik, there is a multiplier effect for tailors and craftsmen. So, we must be proud to be made in Indonesia," said Budi.

The Batik Palace is organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy to commemorate National Batik Day which falls on October 2.

The fashion show on the 150-meter-long stage with the background of the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta features the best batik from various kingdoms in the archipelago, MSMEs fostered by Bank Indonesia and BRI, as well as batik by Indonesian fashion designers.

The event involved 503 special demonstrations, including royal representatives, heads of state institutions, ambassadors of friendly countries, cabinet ministers, representatives of ministries/agencies, public figures, and models.

The Ceremony of the Batik Palace, which was attended by around 4,000 invitations, was also enlivened by the presentation of dance arts and exhibitions of batik MSMEs as a form of support for the work of the nation's children.

Through this performance, the Government wants to invite all Indonesian people to be proud to use, develop, and preserve batik as an intangible cultural heritage that has been recognized by UNESCO.