Malaysia’s love for beadwork now has a place on the envelope. Pos Malaysia has released Sulaman Manik di Malaysia (Beadwork in Malaysia), a special stamp issue that honours the glass-bead craft kept alive by communities across Sarawak, Sabah and the peninsula.
The Sulaman Manik stamps were launched on 6 November 2026 at Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya, kicking off Stamp Week 2026, or Minggu Setem 2026. The celebration runs until 8 November, giving families two more days to shop for stamps and try their hand at beadwork.
A Launch for Craft Lovers, Collectors and Students
The ceremony featured the unveiling of the Sulaman Manik miniature sheet display and a symbolic signing to mark the release. Taking part were Fiona Liao, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Pos Malaysia; Khairul Hafizi bin Naharuddin, Senior Director of the Design and Research Division at the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia); Muhamed Salim Mohd Ali, President of the Philatelic Society of Malaysia (PSM); and Haji Khairul Anuar bin Abdul Azid, Assistant Director of the Student Talent Development Unit at the Selangor State Education Department.
Young philatelists had their moment too. A prize-giving ceremony for the Kelab Setem & Filateli (KESEF) competitions followed, held in conjunction with Siri Jelajah Kelab Setem & Filateli 2026. Winners came from this year’s Stamp Folio, One-Page Exhibit, Block Print Postcard Design and Doodle Stamp Design competitions, which were open to primary, secondary and pre-university students, teachers and special education students.
4 Beadwork Traditions on the Sulaman Manik Stamps
Each of the four designs pairs a finished piece of beadwork with the skilled hands that create it.
1. Jahitan and Sulaman Manik (50 sen)
Malay bead embroidery adds colour, texture and shimmer to traditional wear such as the baju kurung and kebaya. The stamp shows bright floral motifs being stitched, bead by bead, onto fabric.
2. Kasut Manik (50 sen)
The beaded shoes of the Baba and Nyonya, or Peranakan, community are made with fine glass beads worked into floral, bird and geometric patterns. They remain one of the clearest expressions of Peranakan craftsmanship.
3. Pinakol, Rungus, Sabah (60 sen)
The Rungus community of Kudat is known for the pinakol, a pair of broad beaded bands worn crossed over the chest and back. Their colourful geometric patterns carry Rungus culture and symbolism.
4. Marik Empang, Iban, Sarawak (60 sen)
Among the Iban, the marik empang is an elaborate beaded collar draped across the neck and chest. It is still a highlight of women’s traditional attire at ceremonies, dances and celebrations. Beadwork is also treasured in Sarawak by the Orang Ulu, including the Kayan, Kenyah and Kelabit, as well as the Bidayuh.
Why Sulaman Manik Still Matters
Beadwork has long decorated Malaysian attire, jewellery, bags, headdresses and accessories, and today’s designers keep finding new ways to use it in fashion and lifestyle products. The craft demands patience and precision, with skills handed down from one generation to the next.
By putting these traditions on stamps, the Sulaman Manik di Malaysia issue invites Malaysians to discover one another’s cultural heritage and pass it on. It joins other Pos Malaysia releases that celebrate local identity, from the Parrots of Malaysia stamp series to the scented rose stamps.
Sulaman Manik Collection: Prices and Where to Buy
- Four stamp designs: 50 sen and 60 sen
- Miniature Sheet: RM5.00
- First Day Cover with stamps: RM2.70
- First Day Cover with Miniature Sheet: RM5.50
- Commemorative Folder: RM7.00
The complete folder set is priced at RM42.20. The collection is on sale from 6 November 2026 at 90 Philatelic Bureaus nationwide, including 13 General Post Offices, as well as selected post offices and the Pos Malaysia online store, while stocks last.
Plan Your Visit to Stamp Week 2026
Stamp Week 2026 continues at Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya, on 7 and 8 November. Here is what to expect:
- Hands-on Sulaman Manik craft activities by Kraftangan Malaysia, limited to the first 100 visitors each day
- Sales of the new stamp collection and Pos Malaysia merchandise
- Special postmarks dated for each day of the event, plus a commemorative cachet covering all three days
Stamp collectors chasing the daily postmarks may want to arrive early. For updates, follow Pos Malaysia on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.
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