Malaysia’s own Masterpiece by Masrina Abdullah just landed a huge cultural moment designing the official batik worn by ASEAN leaders (plus Gulf countries and China!) at the ASEAN Chairmanship Gala Dinner on 26 May 2025. Talk about putting Malaysian heritage on the regional stage.
After a competitive selection led by Wisma Putra and Yayasan Budi Penyayang, Masterpiece by Masrina Abdullah’s design was picked from seven top Piala Seri Endon alumni. The final batik draws inspiration from the traditional mengkuang mat a classic symbol of welcome, featuring checkered patterns that represent hospitality and subtle designs symbolizing land, sea, and sky to highlight ASEAN’s unity.
The mix of hand-drawn batik with block printing reflects Malaysia’s MADANI vision: respecting tradition while embracing modernity. Even the colour palette was personally selected by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, talk about VIP vibes.
Founder Masrina Abdullah sums it up best: “Batik is more than fabric it’s identity, legacy, and economy. This design shows how our heritage can unite us and shine on the global stage.”
This batik isn’t just fashion, it’s a statement of cultural diplomacy and creative pride as Malaysia takes the lead in ASEAN 2025.