M'SIA TO STUDY UNESCO'S LISTING OF INDONESIAN BATIK AS CULTURAL HERITAGE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia would study a decision by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco)to recognise Indonesian batik as an Intangible Cultural Heritage said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin Thursday.

The government would make the study to ensure whether the decision would
have a bearing on the traditional batik making in the country.

"I do not have the full details (Unesco's decision) because Malaysia too has
batik. We will analyse the actual meaning of the decision and whether the
decision will affect the production of batik here," he told reporters after
witnessing the signing of two agreements here.

Muhyiddin was earlier asked to comment on Unesco's Sept 8 decision to list
Indonesian batik among its intangible cultural heritage list, although an
official announcement is only expected during a meeting of the Intergovernmental
Committee of Intangible Heritage, to be held from Sept 28 to Oct 2 in Abu Dhabi,
United Arab Emirates.

Following the decision, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
had appealed to all Indonesians to wear batik on Oct 2, to mark the day as the
official day of batik.

Muhyiddin said not only Malaysia, but countries like India and Singapore
also have the expertise to produce their own batik.

"Batik is not only produced by Malaysia and Indonesia, but rather India and
Singapore too have batik. The difference in only in the name and the technology
involved. Nevertheless, I will check on Unesco's decision," he said.
-- BERNAMA