Handicraft Innovations: A Strategic Approach to Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage of Malaysia

Handicrafts are skilled activities made traditionally by hand rather than machines and are usually carried out on a small scale. Handicraft products often show the value and importance of culture in society, while also being a source of income for people. Like in most other countries, tangible cultural heritage such as handicrafts in Malaysia is facing the threat of extinction caused by various factors such as lack of basic manufacturing materials, increased manufacturing costs, lack of skills, and limitations of use. In this context, various methods are used to preserve and ensure that traditional handicrafts remain relevant. One of these is the innovation of the handicrafts. Therefore, this study aims to identify the innovations implemented in the preservation of handicraft cultural heritage art and the limitations to such innovation in preserving the authenticity of heritage.This study used a qualitative approach involving interviews with experienced handicraft workers and government agency officials involved in the country's heritage policy.It found that several forms of innovations exist: hybrids, motifs, materials, techniques, and uses. The innovations in making traditional handicrafts should be carefully balanced to preserve the authenticity of traditional handicrafts. This paper provides an overview of the handicraft innovations implemented by handicraft makers in Malaysia without neglecting the value of craftsmanship in manufacturing traditional craft products. It can help the authorities to prepare policies and take appropriate actions so that the heritage of handicrafts in Malaysia will remain relevant in today's modern world.