Heritage, in both its tangible and intangible forms has been gradually recognised for its potential contributions to SDB’s efforts in meeting its sustainability goals. We are committed to preserving and conserving important cultural heritage and knowledge in the community in which we operate, in line with our sustainability tenets and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
At Hotel Maya Kuala Lumpur (“Hotel Maya”), we engaged and partnered with Gahara Galore Sdn Bhd (“Gahara”), a Malaysian artisanal Batik textile producer to refurbish the hotel’s newly designed “Heritage Rooms”. Gahara is also a social impact-driven organisation that champions the preservation and development of local arts and crafts.
Through the collaboration, 155 hotel rooms were uniquely styled with custom-designed Batik artistry. Each piece of these Batik imprints, which can be found on the bed headboards as well as inside the guests’ elevators was meticulously made through a series of processes, starting from sketching, to block making, to wax stamping and lastly colouring.
The Batik artistry also leveraged on Gahara’s two unique production methods; by using block motifs and colouring techniques that set it apart from other producers. The block motif composition combined various elements of wood carvings normally found in traditional architectural structures in Southeast Asia. After wax stamping, the fabric undergoes layers of colouring using the shibori or tiedye method. To minimise the impact of Batik production on the environment, Gahara also organised various workshops that focus on using natural dyes and efforts to reduce water pollution, which is in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure). The final Batik product is a result of communal work, as it involved the collective efforts of many artisans in the different production steps.
SDB’s partnership with Gahara represents our commitment to raise awareness and create more economic opportunities for the artisanal community. By helping to expand the reach of these local artists through greater engagement and exposure to their heritage-inspired crafts, we are contributing toward their long-term well-being and economic sustainability as per SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-Being) and SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth).
For the community at large, our local and international hotel guests are now able to experience the nostalgic charm of the Malaysian traditional culture during their stay at Hotel Maya.