KUALA LUMPUR: In order to improve the quality and design of local textiles, the Malaysian Traditional Textile Lovers Association (Citra) should be at the forefront in gathering industry experts to ensure that their products will attract more people locally and internationally.

       This was conveyed by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah at the launch of Citra on Saturday (March 5).

       The Queen said that there should be a body to look into the interest of local craftsmen, weavers, designers and marketers of traditional cloth in order to enrich Malaysia's textiles heritage.

       "This is a step in the right direction. Other countries have long formed such associations and they move as an entity wherever they go. Our neighbours, Thailand and Indonesia for instance, have 1developed their crafts by sharing their skills. I was inspired by this " she said.

       Her speech was read by Tengku Datuk Aishah Al-Marhum Sultan Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah at the launch at Kompleks Kraf, here.

       Tengku Datuk Aishah represented the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who was unwell, and unable to attend.

       Tengku Datuk Aishah is the sister of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

       Raja Permaisuri Agong is the Royal Patron of Citra.

       During the launch, a fashion show featuring several of the textile artisan works were showcased. It featured an array of craftsmanship of the local textile industry.

       Meanwhile, Citra president Nini Marini Ramlan said that having love and pride for local traditional textiles can be the catalyst for the association to succeed.

       "In order for the association to have a meaningful impact, we must focus on building and developing our community of textile lovers throughout Malaysia.

       "We want to meet as many artisans as we can to establish connections in every state in order to strengthen our network. We wish to engage not only artisans but designers, educational institutions, agencies, businesses and entrepreneurs in the field.

       "The aim is to create a directory for traditional textiles that can be made exclusively by the members. It would also include foreign connections made by committee members through our travels that can be used to establish collaborations and networking," she said.

       She added that exposure could help raise the standard of the local textiles and innovate our techniques further.

       Citra is the brainchild of former lecturers, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM)'s Fatimah Ismail and the late Prof Sulaiman Ghani.

       So far about 200 members have signed up on Citra. Membership is open to all Malaysians with a lifetime membership fee of RM150 and RM125 (for students).