Recycling songkok campaign protects environment, continues heritage legacy
Following the encouraging response to the previous campaign, the company would conduct a second round of the campaign in November.
SHAH ALAM - Driven by a passion for the environment and a commitment to preserving heritage, an entrepreneur from Sabak Bernam, Selangor, launched a campaign to recycle old or damaged songkok (traditional Malay headwear).
Mohd Hafzan Sardi, 37, founder of the Songkok Malaya brand, which specialises in premium and traditional songkok making, said the recycling campaign, launched in October 2024 for just two months, received an overwhelmingly positive public response.
"I was inspired to start this recycling campaign due to my work as an engineer managing water resources, particularly in river conservation and preservation campaigns in Selangor, which indirectly taught me to optimise resources.
"For example, cardboard or newspapers used as the base materials in songkok making are not simply discarded. Instead, we sort and recycle them as compost or collect them with other excess materials before sending them to recycling centres," he told Bernama in a recent interview at his company.
He added that the initiative, promoted on Songkok Malaya’s official social media, led to the collection of nearly 200 old and damaged songkok. Customers who exchanged their old songkok also received discounts on new ones.
"The market price for our premium traditional songkok, which is made entirely from fabric, ranges between RM50 and RM90, depending on the size. For children, the price is RM35.
"However, when customers exchange their old, worn-out, or damaged songkok of any brand with ours, we offer a price as low as RM25, while children’s songkok are priced at RM12.90. The price varies based on the type and design chosen," he said.
Following the encouraging response to the previous campaign, he said the company would conduct a second round of the campaign in November.
"We want to run this campaign continuously because of the strong public support. However, we face challenges, especially in terms of manpower. Right now, we only have five employees, including two tailors, and our main focus remains on selling songkok," said the Chief Executive Officer of Malaya Revolution Sdn Bhd.
Reflecting on his business journey, Mohd Hafzan shared that his participation in innovation competitions while working at Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (LUAS), a state-run water management agency, from 2016 to 2020, inspired him to develop a durable and washable songkok.
"Traditionally, songkok is made from cardboard or newspaper, which can be easily damaged when washed. However, through continuous research from 2018 to 2020, we replaced these materials with a more flexible, high-quality fabric, making our songkok machine-washable without losing their shape.
"After that, I began selling on a small scale, and in 2021, I joined the Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Startup Scheme (Superb) under the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (TERAJU). I was fortunate to receive a RM500,000 grant, which became a turning point in expanding my business," he said.
Today, Songkok Malaya produces several key products, including a traditional songkok inspired by the designs of Johor and Brunei Darussalam, as well as custom-made songkok. The brand has branches in Shah Alam, Selangor, and Marang, Terengganu, along with distributors nationwide.
Additionally, it supplies Baju Melayu accessories, including songkok brooches, tanjak (traditional Malay headdress), and samping (waistcloth) for festive celebrations, weddings, and cultural events.
Mohd Hafzan’s innovation has also earned him several prestigious awards, including the Malaysia Design Award 2023, the Selangor Innovation Award 2022, and a gold medal at the National Innovation and Invention Competition Through Exhibition (ICOMPex) 2022.
Additionally, Songkok Malaya was selected for the Graduate Entrepreneur Advanced Programme (GROW PLUS) by the Selangor State Development Corporation, a nine-month mentoring initiative starting this March, which Mohd Hafzan hopes will further elevate the brand.
Mohd Hafzan hopes more young people, especially those with higher education, will innovate to preserve cultural heritage and keep traditional craft alive. - BERNAMA
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