KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Handicraft Centre (PKS), a brainchild of the Chief Minister and chairman of Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustees, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, is moving a step further in producing excellent handicraft products.
PKS was acknowledged as one of the winners of Malaysia Good Design Mark 2014 Award organised by Majlis Rekabentuk Malaysia (MRM), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, on April 14 at Marriot Hotel, Putrajaya.
Malaysia Good Design Mark is a recognition of handicraft designs, awarded by the government through MRM, to innovative and high quality local product designs. It is the highest design recognition which endorses products that bear quality in design manufacturing.
Every product is judged based on a few criterias which are aesthetic values and appearance, practicality and functionality, ergonomic elements and safety characteristics.
By having the recognition, it provides good reputation for an organisation in both trust and assurance in business, besides building product confidence among consumers over the long term.
According to the director of Yayasan Sabah, Datuk Sapawi Bin Haji Ahmad, PKS submitted seven sets of gift packaging that can be categorised into four types which are Kelarai product and paper bags; souvenirs and ceramic; Batik and glass as well as woven fabrics.
“These projects are produced through collaboration with SIRIM Bhd. The characteristics of the products are based on the Kadazan-Dusun-Murut ethnic motifs and the flora and fauna of Sabah,” he said.
Sapawi added the usage of papers made from recycled materials gave a positive impact, especially in the judges’ evaluation as an organisation that is environmental friendly and produces handicrafts without giving a negative impact to the environment.
“In view that good design not only adds value to our products, but will also shape consumer purchasing trends, Yayasan Sabah Group through PKS will continue to emphasise on research and development activities to produce quality new products,” he said.
This award is proof of PKS’ hard work in ensuring a continuous development of handicraft production not only in its packaging but also in its quality, innovation as well as remaining competitive in the local and global market.
The award was presented by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin and representing PKS was its group manager, Zaiton Bakri.