YBhg. Dato’ Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar, Director General of Tourism Malaysia officiated Karnival Kebaya Malaysia 2023 where he supported the objective set by Miss Malaysia Kebaya to initiate National Kebaya Day yearly.
National Kebaya Day will give recognition to the kebaya in Malaysia similar to Indonesia that considers kebaya a national costume. It will be an annual event which marks the celebration of the anniversary of the day the kebaya was proposed by Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and Brunei as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to UNESCO in early 2023.
Dr Jason Hee, the organiser of Miss Malaysia Kebaya (MMK) said, “National Kebaya Day will be celebrated every year to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to the Malaysia kebaya, a cultural heritage that must be preserved as the nation’s identity”.
A hundred selected fashion designers, models, beauty queens through the Kebaya Nationalism agenda will be appointed as Malaysian Cultural and Tourism Ambassadors to promote tourism in Malaysia through marketing and promotions,” Dr Jason Hee added.
Miss Malaysia Kebaya’s strategy to boost the tourism industry includes appearances at International Fashion shows in China and ASEAN countries where Malaysia will be represented to showcase the kebaya. Malaysian Cultural and Tourism Ambassadors and influential leading designers will garner a great deal of attention at these socio-cultural events. Displayed like a goldengarland studded with jewels, the charming kebaya will highlight Malaysia on the world stage.
Malaysia will be represented by Miss Malaysia Kebaya at Shanghai Fashion Week Stage Show (Runway and Trade Show) on the 8th, 12th & 15th of October followed by Bangkok, Jakarta and other ASEAN capitals to promote fashion tourism.
Partners and sponsors that support this initiative alongside the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), its agencies, Tourism Malaysia, Matrade and private sectors will be able to benefit through branding, advertising, promotion and income. Annual events which promote Malaysian traditions and culture such as National Kebaya Day have the potential to attract tourists from abroad.
Dr Jason Hee and Miss Malaysia Kebaya will spearhead collaborations between domestic and foreign industry players to organise events that are both prestigious and beneficial to the country in the tourism or related sectors and industries.
The involvement of public and private colleges and universities are encouraged to expose the young generation to the culture they should protect and preserve. These colleges and universities will be gladly received as collaborative partners where cultural shows can be held at their respective schools to showcase Malaysian culture.
Karnival Kebaya Malaysia 2023 is sponsored by collaboration partners including KL Wellness City and Urban Ground.
