KUALA LUMPUR — Appointing someone to champion the arts is not merely about filling a position; it reflects a deeper truth: the arts cannot be led effectively without genuine passion at their core.
A leader with true passion for the arts possesses an instinctive understanding of their significance, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah said during a question and answer session after delivering jer royal address on Tenun Pahang Diraja, held in conjunction with the special exhibition “Busana: Traditional Costumes of the Malay World” at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia.
As Tengku Ampuan Pahang, she believes her role goes beyond preserving tradition to ensuring it remains relevant, meaningful and alive.
“I see it as a responsibility, to preserve, to elevate and to ensure that it continues to live beyond us.
“Heritage is not inherited by title; it is sustained by commitment. It cannot survive in museums alone. It must be worn, lived and loved,” she said.
Highlighting the heritage, refined artistry and enduring legacy of Tenun Pahang Diraja—one of the most treasured Malay royal textiles—Tunku Azizah stressed that it is far more than fabric.
“This is not merely fabric, this is identity. Tenun Pahang Diraja is far more than a textile tradition; it is a living embodiment of Malay identity, heritage and royal stewardship.
“Tenun was already present in Pahang long before the arrival of the Bugis, tracing its roots back to the era of Langkasuka and later the Melaka Sultanate.
“This tells us that weaving is not something imported into Pahang, but something deeply embedded within our civilisation,” she said.
She acknowledged that preserving tradition in an era of fast fashion is no easy task, requiring a careful balance between honouring heritage and embracing modernity.
“The true challenge is this, to modernise without losing meaning, to innovate without losing soul. Because a heritage that does not evolve will fade, but one that evolves without roots will lose its meaning,” she said.
Tunku Azizah added that while technology can support the craft, it comes at a cost—not only financially. The greater challenge, she noted, is ensuring that modernisation does not strip away the soul of the craft.
She emphasised that the true value of traditional textiles lies not in the speed of production, but in the slow, human process that gives them meaning, authenticity and connection.
“Perhaps the greatest concern is this: will the next generation care enough to continue what their ancestors began? Because heritage, if not inherited, will simply disappear,” she said with utmost concern.