Visiting The Kudus Bordir Outlet And The Rainbow Dian Gallery, Puan Emphasizes The Promotion Of Wastra Nusantara

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani (Dok DPR Photo)

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, made a working visit (Kunker) to Central Java, namely Kudus and Pekalongan to see the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Puan's activities began by visiting MSMEs, traditional embroidered fabric products, typical of Kudus Regency. He visited Dahlia Bordir Kudus outlet in Peganjaran, Bae District.

Puan had a tour to see the production process of Kudus' typical embroidery cloth. The embroidery creation is already attached to the fashion industry in Kudus Regency where the embroidery creation itself is a beautiful accent that adorns the ends of a dress.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also had the opportunity to see the various types of typical Kudus batik which are quite famous. Accompanied by the boutique owner Dahlia Bordir Kudus named Ibu Sa'adah, Puan admitted that she was proud of the batik MSMEs in the country who were able to survive during the Covid-19 pandemic and managed to revive.

Kudus Regency has a uniqueness in its embroidery motif. In addition to the elegant flower motif, this Kudus bordir also presents a charming bird motif. Meanwhile, Dahlia Bordir Kudus owned by Mrs. Sa'adah has other breakthroughs in the designation of embroidery which is usually only used for clothing.

Dahlia Bordir Kudus presents a embroidery used on shoes, bags, table caps to tissues. Dahlia Bordir Kudus outlet is also still unique because in the midst of the onslaught of a computer embroidery machine, Mrs. Sa'adah still maintains a embroidery machine from ancient times which makes the quality of the embroidery work unquestionably.

"This manual embroidery craftsman has begun to be eroded by an all-digital era, it needs to be preserved with our common role so that this cultural heritage is not after being eaten by the times," said Puan, Tuesday, July 25.

The first woman to serve as Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives is also ready to promote traditional embroidered cloth products from Kudus Regency so that people from various regions in the country are better known. Puan is known to always wear Indonesian wastra in every official activity, including at international events.

"This embroidered cloth product made by Kudus craftsmen is one of the best embroidery in the country, so it must be assisted and supported so that it can develop again," he said.

The promotion for wastra Nusantara is considered important considering that during the Covid-19 pandemic, MSME fashion is one of the people's business lines that are quite affected. The DPR also encourages the executive to help promote traditional fabric products to help grow regional MSMEs.

"The role of the Government is certainly not only for embroidery, but also for other handicraft products in the country. The promotion needs to be intensified so that domestic handicraft products can be more global," said Puan.

Famous as the largest kretek cigarette-producing city in Central Java, Kudus Regency is also popular as a culinary paradise. For this reason, Puan took the time to taste one of the culinary places in Kudus Regency.

On the sidelines of her account, Puan came to RM Garang Asam Sari Rasa. He also wants to ensure that the culinary MSMEs return after the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Culinary MSME actors must return to receive benefits when the endemic is implemented by the government. Because in each region it has the characteristics of cooking, such as Garang Asam," he said.

Garang Asam itself is a well-known food in Kudus which contains the main ingredients of chicken meat, green tomatoes, vegetable belimbing, and chilies wrapped in banana leaves.

RM Garang Asam Sari Rasa, which is located on Jalan AKBP Agil Kusumadya, Kudus is also the favorite place to eat for a number of figures, one of which is the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo.

After leaving Kudus, Puan continued her working visit to Pekalongan City. In the City of Batik, he visited the Dian Pelangi Gallery. Just like in Kudus, Puan wants to review the economic activity of the national batik center after the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Dian Pelangi himself is a pioneer in hijab fashion as well as a Muslim fashion designer who has quite successfully introduced Indonesian culture to the international arena.

"Dian Pelangi's Gallery is proof that our MSME products are able to penetrate the world market," said Puan.

Designer Dian Pelangi is known to have succeeded in amazed him by combining the Indonesian culture with season nuances in several prestigious fashion shows in the world such as New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week.

In 2017, Dian Pelangi had amazed the New York Fashion Week stage for showing off her unique design clothes and being liked by many people. At that time he put forward the batik element that became the hallmark of Indonesia, combined with trendy Muslim clothing.

Puan hopes that Dian Pelangi's perseverance can be an example of MSME players who have a dream of introducing their products to the global level.

"Dedication and tenacity of Mbak Dian Pelangi must be an inspiration for Indonesian women and the future generation of the nation," said Bung Karno's grandson.

"And the success of Ms. Dian Pelangi in promoting the archipelago wastra must be a lesson for us together to continue to preserve cultural heritage," concluded Puan.