{
  "id": 4325266,
  "title": "Turn handicrafts into income while preserving heritage, says Bawang Assan rep",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/turn-handicrafts-into-income-while-preserving-heritage-says-bawang",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-30T00:02:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Borneo Post Online",
    "slug": "borneo-post-online",
    "url": "https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/08/30/turn-handicrafts-into-income-while-preserving-heritage-says-bawang-assan-rep/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SIBU (Aug 30): Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh believes that transforming handicrafts into economic opportunities can both safeguard cultural heritage and provide extra household income. As the senior vice-president of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Wong emphasized that handicraft makers should shift their focus from personal use to producing items of commercial value that are distinctive and of high quality. “If our products are good enough, we should not limit ourselves to the Sibu or Sarawak market. We should look beyond Sarawak and Malaysia and explore overseas markets,” Wong advised at the inauguration of the PDPN52 Bawang Assan handicraft workshop at Rumah Suda Majoy yesterday.\n\nWong highlighted that e-commerce and digital platforms have diminished geographical limitations, with China identified as a possible market. “I am prepared to help explore opportunities to find agents or business partners in China who can help market and sell our handicraft products there,” he stated. However, Wong stressed that the products must first meet stringent standards of quality and charm while preserving their Sarawak and Iban identity. To this end, he noted that workshops like this could enable more Iban women to become proficient in traditional skills and also inspire younger generations to learn them.\n\nWong also pointed out that such workshops can enhance community bonds by bringing participants together to learn, exchange ideas, and share experiences. He encouraged PDP leaders and members to keep interacting with communities to comprehend their needs and discover ways to support them.",
  "summary": "SIBU (Aug 30): Turning handicrafts into economic opportunities can help preserve cultural heritage while providing additional household income, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. The Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) senior vice-president said handcraft makers should move beyond producing items for personal use and focus on creating attractive, unique and high-quality products…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}