Hands-on Crafting Draws Tourists To Rumah Batik Sri Wangsa

JOHOR BAHRU: Tucked away in Mersing, a coastal town known as the gateway to Johor’s islands, Rumah Batik Sri Wangsa is drawing visitors for something beyond sun and sea.

Here, guests are invited to slow down, pick up a canting – the pen-like tool used in batik-making – and try their hand at creating their own designs.

For owner Nadia Mohd Fuzi, 39, the space is a reflection of years spent in the batik trade, and a desire to bring the craft closer to people.

After more than 15 years selling handicrafts and batik products in the Johor capital, she decided it was time to create something of her own.

“We used to sell batik sourced from Johor and Terengganu, but demand kept growing. About three years ago, I decided to start producing our own batik,” she told Bernama.

With her husband Haiyat Hassim, Nadia returned to her hometown of Mersing to build the business, drawn by both familiarity and the area’s growing tourism appeal.

Their batik designs reflect the surrounding environment – think flora, fauna and geometric patterns – as well as motifs inspired by the state’s produce such as pineapples and black pepper, alongside the berembang tree.

Last year, the couple took things a step further by opening their doors to visitors, offering hands-on workshops that have quickly gained popularity.

Nadia said she started the venture with her own savings of about RM80,000, driven by her passion and belief in batik as a niche yet meaningful industry.

“Mersing is underrated, although interestingly, about 80% of our visitors are international tourists. For many of them, our centre is a must-stop location,” she said.

Beyond casual visits, Rumah Batik Sri Wangsa has also become a popular venue for group activities. They host bookings from schools, government agencies and organisations for team-building sessions, family days and educational programmes.

With space to accommodate larger groups – something many home-based batik makers lack – the centre has carved out a niche of its own in the state.

Nadia runs the operation with two full-time and 12 part-time staff, all trained by Kraftangan Malaysia. Her own foundation in the craft was shaped under the guidance of her uncle, who has more than 40 years of experience in batik-making.

Looking ahead, Nadia and Haiyat are exploring opportunities to bring their batik to international markets. They also aim to expand the centre to keep pace with growing interest.

Plans include upgrading the learning space, production area, gallery and parking facilities, as well as building a two-storey glass gallery within two to five years.

“We hope it can become a tourism landmark in Mersing and a symbol of pride for Johor, while also serving as a learning space for younger generations,” Nadia added.

Follow Rumah Batik Sri Wangsa on Facebook and Instagram.

Rumah Batik Sri Wangsa
85, Sri Wangsa, Jalan Mohd Aris,
Kampung Bahagia, 86800 Mersing, Johor

Contact: 019-748 1004