RM10,000 a month from leaves: The lucrative side of a fading craft

Focus Malaysia

13-07-2025

AT THE Malaysian Handicraft booth during the MADANI Rakyat (PMR) Terengganu event, a woman of advancing years sat quietly yet intently at work, weaving vibrant strips of pandanus leaves into a beautiful mat.
Though her face and hands reveal decades of life, her eyesight remains keen and her fingers swift — a quiet testament to a traditional craft that is slowly fading, especially among today's youth.
Asmah Ismail, a 64-year-old artisan, shared that mengkuang weaving is now a dying skill. According to her, the younger generation sees little financial incentive in taking up the craft, causing its decline.
'There are hardly any full-time mengkuang weavers left. I believe it's just two of us still doing this seriously,' she explained during an interview at Pasar Payang, where the PMR event was held.
'The work takes a lot of patience and precision — perhaps that's why young people shy away from it as a profession.'
Asmah, who has been in the trade for 44 years, said products like woven handbags, decorative items, mats and traditional wedding gifts are now enjoying a surge in popularity. The demand is strong enough that she earns between RM3,000 and RM10,000 monthly from sales.
To manage the high volume of orders, particularly during festive seasons or large events, she has hired seven assistants to help with production.
'Back then, mengkuang weaving was mostly limited to fans, slippers, and baskets. But over time, I've expanded the product range to include handbags, document carriers, and various other items,' she said.
The craft runs deep in Asmah's family. Passed down from her mother and grandmother, her weaving features more than 40 unique patterns — among them the Tapak Harimau, Bunga Cengkih, and Cik Kedah Bersila designs.
She's thankful that there are still patrons who appreciate and value the artistry of handmade mengkuang products, often willing to pay a premium. A medium-sized mat, for example, can fetch RM250, while larger pieces have sold for up to RM800.
'True art lovers don't bargain,' she noted, adding that her workshop at her home in Kampung Rhu Rendang, Marang also doubles as a training centre for anyone eager to learn the craft.
Asmah believes that platforms like PMR Terengganu are vital to reviving interest in traditional weaving, especially among young Malaysians. —July 13, 2025
Main image: Bernama