KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 — In order to boost Malaysia's batik trade, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) will try to meet with local batik producers to promote their wares.

NRECC minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said he would love to promote the local batik industry after he announced earlier this week that civil servants can now wear batik clothing during the whole work week.

"First I think I will meet with MOTAC (Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture), and have a discussion with its minister. That is their promotion. I look at batik as a very practical piece of clothing for us to wear in this environment, so that's how I look at it.

"I am happy with this (initiative) though. The Prime Minister started the no tie policy and we managed to push this through and this was a significant change as trying to change any circulars is very difficult, so hats off to the prime minister.

"I would also like to meet up with the batik players with the Motac minister," he told reporters after a forum for Orang Asli in Kuala Lumpur today.

On August 22, the Cabinet agreed to the move in view of the climate and the need for energy efficiency in government offices.

The decision made had taken into account the climate in this country and also the government’s commitment to achieve its aspiration for net zero greenhouse gas emissions as early as 2050 by reducing the carbon footprint from the energy consumption practices.