Anwar’s Budget 2027 outfit and folder tell a story of unity

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wore a light-blue baju Melayu to table Budget 2027 on Friday, 9 October. Several parts of the Budget 2027 outfit came from different Malaysian makers. The Ministry of Finance (MOF) says his woven folder carries a message of unity.

In addition, Anwar carried the Budget documents in a woven folder made from steel wire, bamboo and recycled leather. The MOF called the piece “Anyaman Kreativiti, Lambang Perpaduan Malaysia”, or “Woven Creativity, Symbol of Malaysian Unity”.

The ministry said Anwar met the two local artisans behind the piece the day before, on 8 October. Here is what he wore, who made the folder, and what the MOF says it signifies.

What Anwar wore to Parliament

First, Malay Mail reported that Anwar wore a light-blue baju Melayu in the Cekak Musang style. It came from Kuala Lumpur. Then he left the Ministry of Finance at 2.55pm for Parliament, Bernama reported. The tabling was due at 3.30pm.

Inmates at Kajang Prison made his samping, Malay Mail said. Likewise, his capal, or sandals, came from Permatang Pauh. His songkok came from Johor. In all, the pieces came from makers in several places.

In addition, Bernama said the samping matched the headscarf of his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Neither report named a tailor. They did not describe the samping’s fabric or pattern.

The reports carried no comment from Anwar on his Budget 2027 outfit. However, asked about good news for civil servants, he said only “Insya-Allah, doakan”, meaning “God willing, pray for it”. He also raised his hand in a thumbs-up.

The woven Budget 2027 folder

Anwar carried the Budget documents in a folder woven from steel wire, bamboo and recycled leather. Bernama called it a black bag, while Malay Mail called it a file folder. Neither source gave its size, so we cannot say how big it is.

Bernama said songkok velvet covers the piece, the kind songkok makers normally use. It also said David’s wife, Jennifer Tan, crafted the bag. However, Malay Mail credited the two artisans as collaborators.

The title of the piece is “Woven Together: A Malaysian Story”, Bernama said. Neither report named a specific weave pattern. Still, both said the work reflects Malaysia’s diversity.

Also, the concept ties to the Budget 2027 theme, Bernama said. The theme is “Malaysia MADANI: Reaching for the Sky, Rooted in the Earth”. Diversity and shared values, it said, form the base for national progress.

The artisans and the message

First, meet the two artisans: David Cho Chee Min and Amira Wani Jamil. Malay Mail described David as the founder of Heritage Baskets. He works in steel wire, Bernama said, using skills his late father taught him.

His father made food strainers and egg baskets. Meanwhile, Amira is an upcycled jeweller and the founder of Ipil Kupil. Bernama said she explores new uses for discarded or secondhand materials such as bamboo and leather.

Bernama said the two come from different generations and backgrounds. In its post on X, the MOF said the folder combines steel-wire weaving, bamboo and recycled leather. It “symbolises the unique diversity of Malaysia”, the ministry said.

Bernama explained the materials this way. Steel wire stands for strength, while bamboo and leather show reuse and less waste. In short, the message is that differences should not divide Malaysians. Instead, a shared goal can make them stronger. As a result, the folder doubles as a statement. To back local craft, look up Heritage Baskets and Ipil Kupil, the two makers’ brands.