Bata celebrated Founder’s Day with a double milestone: 131 years of global heritage and 95 years in Malaysia, where the brand has been woven into everyday life for generations.
From its beginnings in Zlín, where Tomáš Baťa dreamed of making quality shoes accessible to everyone, Bata has grown into a global brand across more than 56 countries. In Malaysia, the story is deeply personal, for 95 years, Bata has been part of family milestones, school journeys, and everyday comfort.
The celebration at Bata’s KLCC flagship store, themed “From First Steps to Forward Futures,” was graced by Christine Bata, representing the founding family, alongside media partners and industry guests.
“The future wears Bata”
Rabi Hasnabi, Managing Director of Bata Malaysia and Singapore, reflected on Malaysia’s unique role in the company’s journey and shared his vision for the future.
With roots in Italy and a career spanning global markets, Rabi brings a blend of international perspective and local passion. Having led fashion and retail businesses across Europe and Asia, he now drives Bata Malaysia and Singapore with a clear mission: to reinvent Bata as a modern lifestyle brand that Malaysians are proud to wear.
“For 95 years, Bata has been part of Malaysian families, from school shoes to first jobs, from everyday comfort to timeless style. What sets us apart is our ability to deliver quality and affordability without compromise. Today, as the market grows more competitive, we are raising the bar, investing in style, comfort technology, and innovation, while keeping our promise of accessibility. That balance is our strength.
The future of Bata is not just about selling shoes. It’s about shaping how Malaysians move forward, stylishly, comfortably, and confidently. The future wears Bata.”
“Every step tells a story”
Christine Bata, active owner of the Bata Group and Chairman of The Bata Shoe Museum Foundation in Toronto, carries forward her grandfather Tomáš Baťa’s legacy with a global outlook shaped by her career across Europe and North America. She brings a strong commitment to heritage, culture, and community, making her presence in Malaysia a powerful reminder of the brand’s family roots and future vision.
During the event, Christine spotlighted the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, the world’s largest shoe museum, with nearly 15,000 artifacts spanning over 4,500 years of history. For her, it stands as a living symbol of how shoes carry human culture and stories across generations.
“For us, every step is not just about movement, but about impact. Every shoe tells a story of culture, of people, of lives touched. That is the essence of Bata.”
She also emphasized that this philosophy extends beyond heritage into human impact through the Bata Children’s Program (BCP), a global initiative that empowers children and families through education, wellbeing, and opportunity.
“The Bata Children’s Program is very close to my heart. It reminds us that our responsibility goes beyond business, it is about giving children the chance to walk confidently into their future.”
Bata Today: Style, Comfort, and Affordability
Bata continues to win consumers by delivering style to be proud of, comfort that lasts, and prices they can trust:
- Victoria Ballerina (from RM59.99) – our most comfortable ballerina yet, effortless and affordable.
- Men’s Moccasin (from RM89.99) – everyday refinement with enhanced comfort at an accessible price.
- Power Hotshots (RM119) – the revival of an icon once worn by Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, refreshed for a new generation seeking authenticity and edge.
- Power EasySlide (from RM139) – slide-in, slide-out comfort technology, setting a new benchmark for everyday ease.
This commitment has also earned Bata Malaysia recognition at the Putra Brand Awards, a testament that Bata remains one of Malaysia’s favorite and most trusted brands.
Tomáš Baťa once said: “When we shoe the world, we will launch a rocket into space to shoe the aliens. And it would be best if they had four legs.” — Tomáš Baťa, 1894
That visionary spirit still drives Bata today, daring to innovate, evolve, and dream beyond limits.
“Together, we will keep walking every step of the way — from first steps to forward futures.” — Rabi Hasnabi