SBY Wants Batik-Loving Successor
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono (left) visits a handicapped Batik's painter who using her foot to paint during the Gelar Batik Nusantara at Jakarta Convention Center, on July 17, 2013. (JG Photo/Yudhi Sukma Wijaya)
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's sartorial signature has long been his drab "safari" suits, but his style tip for the person who takes over from him next year is to be an ambassador for batik.
Speaking at the opening of the five-day Gelar Batik Nusantara conference on Wednesday, Yudhoyono said it was important for the country's next president to continue to promote batik, and Indonesia's cultural heritage in general, on the international stage.
"I hope my successor also loves and promotes batik," he said at the event at the Jakarta Convention Center in Senayan.
He added that in his nine years in office, he and the first lady, Ani Yudhoyono, had always strived to promote batik to both domestic and international audiences.
"That's because we truly love batik and we're proud of Indonesian batik. Ani and I do what we do out of a sincere desire to promote batik," Yudhoyono said.
He noted that the batik industry was on the rise, not just in its traditional stronghold of Central Java, but all over the country, with each region home to unique designs and motifs.
"In the past year, the batik industry has developed very quickly in terms of quality, design, color and aesthetic. Whenever my wife and I visit different regions, we always check out the local batik and buy some, and I have to say that the batik we're seeing now is more beautiful and of better quality than ever," the president said.
"I'm also grateful that the batik industry is contributing to the economy and helping to boost earnings for producers, artisans and vendors. There are 3.5 million people employed in this industry, and it's a boost to the overall economy."
The Indonesian Batik Foundation, which organized the conference, presented Yudhoyono with an award for his patronage of the textile-dyeing tradition, in particular for establishing Oct. 2 as National Batik Day, following the induction of batik into Unesco's international cultural heritage list on that day in 2009.
Yudhoyono promised to keep promoting batik and attending future Gelar Batik Nusantara events after leaving office.
He also welcomed the popularity of batik among a new generation of Indonesians, and credited this to his administration's efforts to revive the tradition and rid batik of its previous image as being staid and old-fashioned.
"And the great thing about wearing batik is that you never have to worry about not being dressed properly, even at formal events," he said.
"There have been so many events that I've attended where I wore batik, both in the country and abroad."
At Wednesday's event, Yudhoyono and his wife were both dressed in batik.
Other officials present at the event included Vice President Boediono and his wife, Herawati, as well as Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo.
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