RI Should Have Law On Batiks

Pekalongan (Antara Bali) - Indonesia should have a law on the batik products in an effort to protect the cultural heritage that has been recognized by UNESCO, adviser to the industry minister has said.

"The law will guarantee the future of Indonesian batiks as a cultural product and a mover to the people's economy," an expert staffer to the Industry Minister, Fauzi Aziz said here on Sunday.

In his visit here, Aziz among others met with batik entrepreneurs, Pekalongan district head Amat Antono and Pekalongan Mayor Mohamad Basyir Ahmad.

Aziz also said batiks which had been recognized both de facto and de jure by UNESCO as an Indonesian cultural heritage should be protected, conserved and developed culturally and economically.

According to him, the state and batik society have a big  responsibility in the protection, enhancement, and development of batiks.

Thus, the Indonesian batik society could become the initiators of the birth of a draft bill to begin the batik legal process.

Aziz said a Batik draft bill would cover several aspects such as protection, preservation, enhancement, development, international cooperation, environmental sustainability, and the role of both central and regional governments in these matters.

The industry minister's adviser even suggested that a maximum  40 percent import duty can be imposed on  batik products.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Association of Exporters and Indonesian Handicraft Manufacturers (ASEPHI), Pekalongan chapter, Romi Oktabirawa said batiks should not be confused with ordinary textile products, so the import duties could be higher to protect  Indonesian batik products.

In the meantime, Pekalongan Mayor Mohamad Basyir Ahmad pointed out with regard to UNESCO's recognition of Indonesian batiks, batik production increase in the region has promoted regional economic growth from 3.2 percent in 2009 to 5.7 percent last year.

The Industry Ministry spokesman Dody Soepardi said recently,  Indonesia was determined to become home of world batiks following UNESCO`s decision to add traditional dyeing techniques to its Intangible Cultural Heritage.(*)