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:: WHAT
TO BUY IN MALAYSIA :: |
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| Pewterware
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Exquisitely
crafted pewter items include
mugs, goblets, coffee sets,
ash trays, vases, figurines,
clocks, letter-opener and
plaques. Leading names are
Royal Selangor and Tumasek.
They can be found at hotel
shopping arcades and shopping
complexes. |
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| Batik
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Batik
combines wax brushing, dyeing,
drying and boiling the material
which may be silk, cotton,
rayon or satin. Batik items
include hats, scarves, ties,
handkerchiefs, purses, kaftan,
shirts, wrap-around skirts,
sun dresses, tablecloths,
handbags, purses and paintings.
The quality of batik varies
greatly. Good quality batik
are sold at large handicraft
centres. |
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| Songtek
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Songket
is Malaysian brocade that
is intricately handwoven
with silver or gold threads.
Rich and heavily-embroidered,
the cloth makes superb evening
gowns. Buy the material
untailored and have it made
to measure, or buy songket
items such as handbags.
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| Pottery
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Sarawak
pottery is ochre-coloured
with bold geometric
designs. Sayong pottery,
from Perak, has the
characteristics glossy
black colour. There
is even pottery, from
Johor, which uses
batik and gold thread
for a distinctive
look. Handicraft centres
offer the best variety. |
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| Gold
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Gold
is of high quality
here, often 22K. Items
of traditional designs
or avant garde are
available. Jewellers
are located at shopping
complexes, hotels,
duty free shops within
the city centre. |
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| Silk
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| Silk
from Cendering, Terengganu
is of international
quality and makes a
good buy. Best bought
at a handicraft centre
or a specialty shop. |
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| Brassware
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| Brassware
items generally come
from the cottage industries
in Terengganu. Items
include candle stands,
vases, ash trays and
plaques. Best bought
at handicraft centres. |
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| SilverWork
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Silverwork,
especially those from
Kelantan, is exquisite.
Items to buy are rose
bowls, napkin holders,
plaques and filigree
jewellery. Handicraft
centres are again
the best choices to
buy silverwork. |
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| WoodCarvings
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Woodcarvings,
again, those from
Kelantan or Terengganu,
are of excellent workmanship.
Wood figurines of
the orang asli (aborigines)
also make good buys.
As these are bulky
items, you can make
arrangement with the
stores to have them
sent home. Shopping
complexes stock a
good range of such
products. |
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| Basketry
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Mengkuang
leaves (screw pine)
woven into table mats,
hats, bags, bedroom
slippers make attractive
and functional items.
They are also inexpensive.
Mengkuang products
can be found at handicraft
centres. |
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| Food
Items :: |
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| Check
out the supermarket,
grocery stores or pasar
malam for locally-produced
items such as tea, pepper,
prawn crackers and instant
food preparations. |
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