Klasik Malaya throwback with JCorp

 

I was delighted to receive the invitation to a Ramadan feast with Team Media Johor jointly hosted by Johor Corporation, JCorp and Co-Action Events, held at Selasih Persada Johor, a restaurant renowned for authentic local fare.

 

Going Klasik Malaya at the JCorp Ramadan event

My eyes zeroed in on the event theme, Klasik Malaya, and my imagination soared to visions of classic P. Ramlee movies, his melodious music and the stylish costumes sported by the female stars…

 

No, I could not picture myself dressed in the hourglass silhouette figure ala Saloma but it did set me on to digging through my wardrobe to put together a classic Malay costume.

 

This invitation also came with an event agenda that included speeches by the hosts, represented by Hasnina Hafiz, Head of Group Corporate Communications, and David Bareng, Chief Executive of Co-Action Events, a Lucky Draw to win prizes and even a Best Dressed Award.

 

On arrival, I was warmly welcomed
to the event by Marsha Tan of JCorp

I had no intention of winning any award but only wished to follow the dress code and not be over or under-dressed for the occasion.

 

I replied with my confirmation to attend and looked forward to the fun of observing the range of classical Malay outfits that other attendees may showcase at this event.

 

I have always appreciated the classic looks in traditional Malay costumes and with the help of my friends at Yayasan Warisan Johor or the Johor Heritage Foundation, I have covered many stories on Busana Johor over the years.

 

It was a pleasure to meet with Hasnina Hafiz
again at the JCorp Ramadan event

In fact, I do so appreciate the proud heritage of the Baju Melayu Telok Belanga that I featured a story under Culture-Heritage in, My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now, the third and final instalment to complete the trilogy of My Johor Stories.

 

On the evening of the event, I followed the signs put up inside the Persada International Convention Centre that directed attendees to the location of the Selasih Restaurant, recently relocated to the lower ground, at street level with Jalan Trus.

 

Two escalator rides down brought me to the lower concourse where I was warmly welcomed at the reception desk and presented with door gifts: One box (I later discovered) of dried dates and another gift box of cookies made by Sedap Corner.

 

With Fazi of Group Corporate 
Communications, JCorp

Personally, I was pleased that our hosts partnered with Sedap Corner for their door gifts, which I thought, was an excellent practice of a local brand supporting another.

 

I am familiar with the cuisine, local kueh, cakes and cookies by Sedap Corner and the family who continues in this proud tradition of serving a menu of Johor specialties because I featured their story under proudly Johor brands in, My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now.

 

The event area was gaily decorated with photo booths that invited attendees to pose for shots while the stage was designed as a sitting room within a traditional Malay house, complete with scalloped curtains adorning its windows.

 

It was good to meet with friends in JCorp again, many of whom I met when I participated as a Human Book in their exciting Human Library event in September 2022. Among them were Shahrizad Zainal and Marsha Tan.

 

With Sis Lin, JDT Blogger

My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now, also featured a story on another proudly Johor brand, the KPJ Healthcare Group, and I was pleased that Nina, shortform for Hasnina Hafiz, graciously attended my book launch event in December 2022.

 

When I saw Group Corporate Communications Senior Manager, Fazi, we had plenty to chit-chat and catch up with each another and she even hinted about the next edition of the Human Library, an event planned for later this year.

 

As more media friends arrived and filled the seats arranged around banquet tables, event MC, the vivacious Rozana Rahmat, better known as Zana, went around the tables to welcome and chat with attendees.

 

While her friendly banter with attendees set the mood for the event, my interest was in her traditional costume which she wore, accessorized by a classic kain dagang as a charming head covering.

 

With Norfy, The Iskandarian

In my story on the Baju Melayu Telok Belanga, I also documented that in ancient times, the lady’s kain dagang was a versatile column of fabric with multiple uses.

 

This piece of kain or cloth, may be used as a head covering to protect against the elements, a receptacle to carry firewood or fruits and for special occasions, it was an accessory to dress-up the ensemble. 

 

In the 1940’s selendang or shawls became fashionable and were used as head-coverings and accessories especially for attending weddings and public events. By the 1950’s many ladies replaced the kain dagang with scarves and other head-coverings.

 

Other than seeing the kain dagang worn in Busana Johor fashion shows and by dancers performing traditional dances, this was the first time in recent years that I saw an outfit that prominently featured the kain dangang as a fashion statement.

 

Muzri Remy Muhadi and his wife, Nabila Munir
dressed in matching Baju Melayu Telok Belanga

Not to be outdone by the ladies, some of the menfolk also made the effort to dress in classic Malay costumes, complete with accessories like walking sticks and headgear of songkok, tanjak and even a fez.

 

The arrival of a pair, dressed in matching outfits that resembled a bridal couple, caused quite a stir when they posed comfortably for the official photographer at the photo booth.

 

When this charming couple headed over and joined us at our table, I had the pleasure to chat with them and got to know them better.

 

MC Zana [Right] wears a traditional kain dagang
with her traditional costume, speaking to Lisa and
her sister, Shida, of Visit Johor

It turned out that this pair was in fact, a married couple and they were wearing their wedding costumes inspired by the traditional Baju Melayu Telok Belanga which he accessorised with a tanjak cloth headgear, fashioned into a Balut Ayam (cockerel?) style while she had fan hairpins of gold protruding from her flowing headscarf.

 

He is Muzri Remy Muhadi while his wife, Nabila Munir, fondly called Bella, is an Instagram and TikTok personality who shares cooking recipes on bella_ _ nabilaa.

 

Just ahead of the breaking-of-fast, the event proper kicked off with words of welcome from Hasnina Hafiz who thanked media partners for their constant support of JCorp and welcomed everyone to enjoy the annual Ramadan feast, served by Selasih Restaurant at its new location in the Persada International Convention Centre.

 

The lucky winner who received
an ironing board with his prize
of an electric iron

Meanwhile David Bareng was pleased to announce that Co-Action Events has lined up two exciting events: One was the Johor Baru 10km Trail Eco-Run planned for May 11 and the other was the second edition of the Aku Music Festival on June 8.

 

With a reminder that there was more food being served from live-cooking stalls at the outdoor section of the restaurant, I saw many returning to the tables with a variety of freshly-made items like skewers of beef and chicken satay, murtabak and emping, among other local favourites.

 

Then the feasting began. When we were almost done with the serious business of enjoying a veritable feast from the wide buffet, we heard MC Zana making the announcement for the next exciting item on the agenda – the Lucky Draw.

 

Prizes for the Lucky Draw were familiar brand names for a range of electrical and electronic items for home and personal use, arranged on a table set up on the stage, so we cheered and clapped for the lucky winners whose numbers were picked to win the prizes.

 

The cheering and laughter probably doubled when the winner of the prize of an electric iron was announced because this prize was paired with an ironing board.

 

These shortlisted Best Dressed men and ladies
are all winners for their sporting spirit

It was indeed, rather amusing to watch this winner posing for photos and then carting off his prize of an electric iron that came complete with an ironing board.

 

Before awarding the top prizes, the Lucky Draw took a break for the next segment to find the Best Dressed Man and Lady. This was done by picking the top three favourites among the men and ladies and then, inviting them on stage.

 

MC Zana encouraged, first the ladies and then the men, to individually perform a simple challenge, one after the other. And thanks to the sporting spirit of these six people, we had a most hilarious time as the place literally rocked with laughter.

 

After this, the candidates were told to stand in a row and turn away to face the back of the stage while the audience (us!) cheered and clapped when the MC pointed to each individual because the loudest cheers will determine who wins.

 

When the winners were announced, I agreed that the Best Dressed Man and Best Dressed Lady were deserving winners, not only for their costumes but also for their sporting spirit.

 

Laksa Johor was among the
specialties served by
Selasih restaurant

When the Lucky Draw resumed, Nina and Daniel were invited to draw the top few numbers to win the top – and higher value – prizes.

 

When the number was drawn for the final prize in this media appreciation event, I thought that it was rather uncanny that it belonged to none other than Johor Media Club president, Mohamad Fauzi Ishak.

 

The event was officially over but the fun continued as we took the opportunity to capture special photo mementoes with media friends, dressed in the Klasik Malaya theme, for classic shots that reeked with a charming sense of nostalgia.

 

Thank you, JCorp for your generous hospitality in hosting this annual Ramadan feast with the media in Johor. I don’t know about the others, but for me, it was always good to be appreciated. Thanks.