Welcome Address at the Batik Lestari Festival 2025

Speaker: Datin Paduka Azalina Adham, Managing Director, Securities Commission Malaysia

Location: Securities Commission Malaysia, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur
Delivered: 7 November 2025

Yang Berbahagia Datuk ‘Ainu Sham Ramli, Ketua Pengarah Kraftangan Malaysia
Pengurusan kanan SC,
Yang Berbahagia Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina,
Tuan-tuan, puan-puan dan para hadirin yang dihormati,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh dan selamat pagi.

Selamat datang ke Suruhanjaya Sekuriti Malaysia (SC). Pihak SC berterima kasih atas kehadiran semua tetamu untuk Festival Batik Lestari yang kedua.
It is great to see our Atrium area once again converted into a celebration of colour, creativity, and craftsmanship.
Before I go any further, it is worth remembering where this all began. No less than our Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, had observed that Batik is not just a fabric; rather it is a symbol of our nation’s identity. He then tasked the previous SC Chairman to ensure that this proud heritage be featured during Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and continues to thrive with the support of the capital market.

Batik With Purpose
Last year’s Malam Batik Lestari and Festival was SC Malaysia’s first step – a unique effort to bridge tradition and culture with business. The positive response showed that Malaysians are ready to embrace Batik in new and innovative ways.
This year, we have taken it even further. Over the past few days, this venue has been a hive of creativity - with exhibitions, workshops, performances, and ‘pocket talks’ to help entrepreneurs and artisans explore how they can scale their business.
Visitors have had the opportunity to learn the art of canting, try their hand at dyeing techniques, or simply admire how traditional patterns can be infused with modern design.
We have today our vendors - more than 20 designers and brands – who were able to showcase their creativity.
For the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), this festival carries a deeper meaning. Heritage industries like Batik are part of what we call the creative economy - a sector that combines art with entrepreneurship.
Besides showcasing Malaysia’s rich Batik heritage and artistry, Batik Lestari also serves as a strategic initiative by the SC to build a more inclusive and sustainable marketplace - particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Our goal is to help unlock that potential by enabling entrepreneurs to access market-based financing avenues in order for them to grow.

Batik Beyond Borders
These efforts are in line with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship theme - ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’ – which calls on us to create opportunities for all including MSMEs, while also advancing sustainability in economic activities especially for Batik artisans.
By positioning the local Batik industry as a leading example of Malaysian creativity and enterprise, we can help enhance its international recognition and regional growth.
The fact that this festival coincides with the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) international conference allows us to celebrate this craftsmanship before regional representatives and international guests.
Batik, in many ways, represents the very spirit of ASEAN - a shared heritage that can connect communities across our region. From Malaysia, Indonesia, to Brunei and even Singapore - each has its own Batik story, yet we are united by the beauty within these threads of fabric.
The SC is proud to contribute to Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship agenda by highlighting Batik as a key cultural and economic asset.

The Sustainable Batik Disclosure Guide
Today, as we close this year’s festival and prepare to hand over Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship to the Philippines next year, we wish to provide this industry with a meaningful contribution - the launch of the Sustainable Batik Disclosure Guide, or SBDG.
It is a guide designed specifically for artisans, producers, and businesses across the batik value chain.
The aim is to assist them in integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices into their Batik production operations - from responsible sourcing of materials, reducing waste, ethical labour practices to strengthening community impact.
Why is this important? Because sustainability is no longer optional – it is essential for long-term growth.
When Batik producers adopt sustainable practices - whether through natural dyes, recycled fabrics, or fair wages - they not only preserve the environment, they become more competitive and uplift surrounding communities. This also opens doors to premium markets, new investors, and ultimately, builds more resilient businesses.
As we look to the future, we want to see Malaysian Batik recognised not only for its beauty, but for its integrity - its respect for the people and planet.

Closing
In closing, the SC would like to express its heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made the Batik Lestari Festival possible - our partners, vendors, designers and artisans.
We wish to thank the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, our valued event partner – with whom we will be exchanging a Memorandum of Understanding to reinforce our shared commitment in advancing Malaysia’s Batik industry.
Thank you also to Puan Sri Tiara for gracing this occasion.
As we look forward to elevating Malaysian Batik to new heights, I am also pleased to share that the Batik Lestari logo has been officially registered as a trademark - a timely recognition that further affirms the identity and legacy of this initiative as it continues to grow.
With that, it gives me great pleasure to officiate the Batik Lestari Festival 2025 and launch the Sustainable Batik Disclosure Guide. May these efforts pave the way forward for Batik in Malaysia and continue to inspire and empower.

Terima kasih.