Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) has teamed up with Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week (KLFW) 2026 to strengthen the promotion of Malaysian-made products through a “Jom Beli Produk Malaysia” (JOM MALAYSIA) initiative, with batik taking centre stage.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said the strategic collaboration was aimed at encouraging Malaysians to prioritise homegrown products, reduce reliance on imports and enhance the competitiveness of local industries and entrepreneurs.
He said the initiative was part of the transformation of the long-running Buy Malaysian Goods Campaign and Buy Malaysian-Made Products Campaign, introduced in 1984 to reinforce the use and purchase of locally made products, “Held at the Esplanade, Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) from Aug 3 to Aug 9, KLFW 2026 brought together more than 50 local designers and brands, showcasing 800 creative designs over seven days.
“The event also includes brand exhibitions, business matching sessions, industry-sharing forums and engagement activities involving local and international fashion industry players.
“One of the key highlights was the debut of a Fashion Forward Batik Malaysia, featuring 30 contemporary batik creations by 10 local designers using authentic batik textiles from Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia,” Armizan said when officiating the event, recently.
Armizan said the initiative was timely, citing the growing contribution of Malaysia’s cultural and creative industry to the economy.
“According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia’s 2024 Culture and Creative Satellite Account Report, published in December last year, the sector contributed RM130.7 billion, or 6.8 per cent, to the country’s gross domestic product.
“The figures underscored the industry’s role as an economic growth driver while preserving Malaysia’s cultural heritage,” he said,Armizan said KLFW 2025 generated media value of USD32 million, adding that this year’s collaboration is expected to further raise the profile of Malaysian batik and other locally made products in domestic and global markets.
“The initiative also aligns with the Government’s broader agenda under the Cabinet Committee on Strengthening the Use and Purchase of Local Products, established following the Cabinet meeting on July 15,2026.
“The committee is tasked with streamlining policy direction and enhancing coordination among ministries and government agencies to boost domestic consumption, expand exports and reduce dependence on imports.
Armizan called on industry players, businesses and other stakeholders to contribute ideas and channel proposals and feedback through relevant ministries and agencies to ensure more effective implementation of initiatives supporting local products.
Through JOM Malaysia, he said KPDN would continue collaborating with industry players, the private sector and strategic partners to build a more sustainable and competitive ecosystem for Malaysian products, both locally and internationally.
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