00:00The charming town of Pekan Pahang was buzzing with excitement with the
00:11celebration of Tamasha Warisan Pahang, a vibrant week-long festival of arts and
00:17heritage. Tunku Ampuan of Pahang, Tunku Aziza Amina Maimuna Iskandaria graced
00:23the event with her presence, adding a royal touch to the festivities.
00:30Tunku Aziza has long been known for her passionate dedication to local arts and
00:35heritage. Speaking with FMT at the Tunku Aziza Royal Craft Village, the Tunku Ampuan
00:41stressed the importance of collective responsibility in preserving the nation's
00:45heritage. Tunku has done so much to champion this cause, to bring heritage, our
00:52heritage back to life. As Anak Pahang, as Malaysians, what do us as the
00:59Rakyat have a duty to do to further make our heritage come to life and to join this
01:08passionate cause?
01:09Make it your interest to learn about everything about heritage. And this is why the village
01:17is on today, because I want people to know the orang asli dance is our heritage.
01:23The Tamasha Warisan Pahang or Pahang Heritage Festival took place at the Craft Village in
01:31Pekan from September 1st to 7th. The week-long celebration of local heritage showcasing vibrant
01:38performances, engaging workshops and bustling craft stalls proved a resounding success. Highlights
01:45included the popular Sarawak Pavilion and workshops by master weavers from Turkey.
01:52I didn't expect to see such, I mean, people coming all the way from KL or coming. And my major
01:59concern was, oh God, don't tell me for one week we're going to be empty, nobody's going
02:03to come. But to see visitors coming from KL or, I mean, it shows that Malaysian people are
02:10interested to learn about their heritage.
02:15One of Tunku Aziza's greatest contributions to Pahang's arts and culture is the establishment
02:19of the Tenun Pahang Diraja Programme, which equips prison inmates with traditional weaving
02:24skills.
02:25Tunku is a champion of heritage and culture, I think it's very clear. Tunku is also a champion
02:33of education and upskilling, as we've seen in Penjarapanor, for example, with the Tenun.
02:40Can Planku give a little bit of background as to how it started and why Planku decided
02:45to take that journey?
02:47When somebody told me that they had started two weavers in prison, I went into prison,
02:54I went to three. From two in one little corner of Penjara Penuh, we have now conquered four
03:02main blocks. Four blocks are now all weaving there.
03:09Indeed, at the recent Tunku Aziza Cup for Tenun Pahang Diraja, 17 out of 20 prizes were won
03:16by prison inmates for their intricate weaving designs.
03:21When I come into prison, my heart goes a bit bangkak as Melayu say. The moment I enter
03:30the workshop, they all will be there standing in a row and they will welcome me at the top
03:36of their voice. I think the whole prison can hear this, Assalamualaikum Tunku Ampuan, whatever,
03:42or from my suri, whatever they want to call me. And you know, you feel so much love.
03:47Tunku Aziza also expressed her gratitude to everyone who has helped revitalise the state's
03:54arts and heritage landscape, including her husband, Pahang ruler Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
04:00If the kerajaan, if the krafttangan people, if the museum people all gave me their support,
04:07you know, helped me along the way, it was Tunku who totally encouraged, supported me and pushed me on.
04:15And this is a man, the most compassionate man, who's always so kind with everybody. But he, he, he understood me.
04:25He understood, he could see what I could do. And he totally went all out, just do and gave me
04:33unconditional, unconditionally, just do whatever you want. I will support you all the way.
04:39Tunku Aziza's next project will be the Al-Sultan Abdullah Village of Hope, a space that offers
04:46former inmates help with employment using the skills they have learnt in prison. In the meantime,
04:52the Tunku Ampuan remains steadfast in her commitment to advancing arts and culture through
04:57the Tunku Aziza Heritage Foundation.
05:02We have to have a foundation, a warisan. Every sort of art, whatever heritage there is, we have to.
05:11It is a duty for any queen or anybody, whoever is the head of the country, the first lady.
05:17It is your duty to champion the cause and to live it as yours.
05:24We, the rakyat, are deeply appreciative of Tunku Ampuan's dedication to preserving and promoting
05:29our traditional heritage.
05:31Hanakam FMT
05:36Hanakam FMT
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