KOMPAS.com - Batik
Indonesia finally included in the 76 official cultural heritage by UNESCO did not object. Indonesian
batik technique assessed laden, symbols, and culture, which can not be separated from public life from birth to death.
Indonesian Batik is said to have the uniqueness that is not found in other countries. The uniqueness lies in the use of night or a mixture of a beehive, animal fats, and plant sap in their construction. This is different from the fabric pattern making techniques from China or Japan that uses candles (Kompas, 2 / 10).
So great was the public's attention about this batik
Indonesia. Yesterday, everywhere in the whole archipelago is easy to find citizens of this nation wear batik. Young and old to express various forms of excitement associated with the surge of batik as claimed human cultural heritage. Previous puppets and “kris”also received honorable recognition from the international community.
The question we are after that then what? Is "struggle batik" enough to limited recognition and honor it? Are we quite proud of it? It should not.
Should be escorted by an honor shared as high honor and noble values. As a nation, we should be more forward again by doing monetary potential capitalization or batik.
Batik is not a mere cultural products from the long journey of human civilization Indonesia. Inside is a creative process that gave birth to economic value. This is what we should try hard won.
From the results of field data collection by the Indonesian Batik Foundation with designer Iwan Tirta batik in 19 provinces in Indonesia, collected more than 2,500 types of batik with a variety of shades and a variety of motives.
Had great potential of this can be capitalized, is certain economic value that can be achieved very large indeed. Now, momentum is there, do not let pass you by. Stop the recognized world pride. Well, how 'batik politics "that will run the Indonesian people to achieve the maximum financial benefit, of course for the welfare of the people.
"Political batik", of course, in the broad sense, is also concerned that efforts should be taken immediately to achieve economic benefits. Do not let happen like the phrase had a milk cow, but the goats have names. Do not let us stop just on a sense of pride to have something that is recognized the world and its economic benefits "stolen" another nation.
Now the creative economy era, the era of globalization, the era of capital.
What does it mean we crowned the world as the "owner" of batik, but the economic benefits it achieved another nation with all the creative excellence, global competitiveness, and strength capitally.
So easy to find batik clothing in the local market. It could have not made domestically, but imports from countries that produce easily and quickly and cheaply. That way, they have high competitiveness to break into various markets around the world, including our market.
Ah ...! It could be a dress or skirt batik fabric you wore yesterday to show pride in the recognition of the world against China-made batik or even other countries. Yes, who knows. Sorry, no offense.
You see, many of us are certainly less understanding, do not even know about the fabric. One look at batik cloth, we have immediately thought it was made in Indonesia. Made in Pekalongan, Solo, Cirebon, Yogyakarta, or other local batik.
"Politics batik" is a trade policy as well. That we put in the context of batik, and also all of our textile products as a commodity trading. Our trade policy is often ill-fitting when entering the arena of the global struggle. Not only in the international arena, but our trade policy must also be strong in defending the interests of national
industries in the domestic market.
How the textile industry entrepreneurs and textile products complained about invasion of foreign products that enter ruffled domestic market. They often criticize the lack of protection of domestic markets and industries. Imported goods, including illegal, so easy to attack, weaken, and even threaten death textile industries nationally.
In fact, the textile industry and textile products are labor-intensive industries, export-oriented. Chamber of Commerce and Industry puts Indonesia as the industrial sector is driving economic growth. However, penetration of illegal products on the domestic market reduces the competitiveness of industry in their own country.
Textile and garment industry is labor-intensive industries and proved to have succeeded in pushing the national economic growth. Long experience of entrepreneurs in this industry and cultural diversity that can enrich the range of textile products and apparel is the basic capital to remain in the competition getting tighter.
While the competitiveness of textile products, apparel, and footwear in the world market Indonesia is still quite high. Balance of trade for these products surplus 6.9 billion dollars in 2008 (56 per cent of total exports). In 2004, the trade surplus could reach 80 percent of total exports.