Johor bahru: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (Kraftangan Malaysia), aims to generate RM9.8 million in sales at the Johor Craft Festival 2025 (FKJ 2025), running from Dec 18 to 29 at Padang Akasia, Angsana Mall here. MOTAC secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot stated that the ministry was confident of hitting the target, driven by the appeal, quality and affordability of Malaysian craft products on display.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, sales totalled RM3.6 million in the first four days, led by five key craft segments: textiles, forest-based products, metalwork, clay-based items and other crafts. The 12-day festival involves 251 craft entrepreneurs and includes heritage food sales. It is supported by five agencies: the Pasir Gudang City Council, Tourism Malaysia Southern Region, Tourism Johor, Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia and Galeri Aura Islam. The event aims to connect craft entrepreneurs with domestic buyers, including exporters, government agencies, hotels and shopping centres.
Shaharuddin expressed confidence in reaching the RM9.8 million target and attracting 100,000 visitors during the festival. He shared this optimism during a press briefing at the Johor Craft Festival roadshow at the venue, attended by Kraftangan Malaysia chairman Mohd Al-Hafizi Ab Bakar and director-general Datuk Ainu Sham Ramli. FKJ 2025 offers business matching, craft sales, master craft demonstrations and the Jom Masuk IKN exhibition.
Visitors can enjoy cultural shows, educational programmes, and traditional games such as gasing petik, capteh, dam aji, congkak, kercang and batu seremban. Competitions including Scent Crochet, Fashionista Batik Malaysia, Kompang Tradisi, singing and musical theatre are also part of the festival's attractions. Shaharuddin noted that craft demonstrations, such as Johor peacock kite-making, gendang kempling (traditional drum), jong (boat), spinning tops, and bamboo weaving, provide the public with a closer look at traditional techniques.