MALAYSIA’S strength in diversity takes centre stage in a handcrafted briefcase used by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to carry his Budget 2027 speech into the Dewan Rakyat today.
The piece, titled “Woven Together: A Malaysian Story” or “Terjalin Bersama: Sebuah Kisah Malaysia”, brings together the craftsmanship of two local artists, David Cho Chee Min and Amira Wani Jamil, from different generations and backgrounds.
Combining steel wire, bamboo and recycled leather, the briefcase illustrates how contrasting materials can complement one another to create something distinctive, reflecting the potential of Malaysians from different cultures and traditions to work together towards shared goals.
David’s steel-wire craftsmanship draws on skills passed down by his late father, while Amira gives discarded materials a new lease of life through creative reuse.
The document case was made by David’s wife, Jennifer Tan, and lined with velvet, a material commonly used in making songkok, the traditional Malay headgear.
Rather than masking the differences between the materials, the design brings their distinct textures and characteristics together in a harmonious composition.
The symbolism resonates with Malaysia’s multicultural society, where diversity in background, generation, culture and tradition can serve as a foundation for collective progress.
It also reflects the spirit of Budget 2027, themed “Menggapai Langit, Berpaksikan Nilai-nilai Kita” (Reaching for the Sky, Anchored in Our Values), which places resilience, sustainability and shared values at the heart of the country’s development aspirations.
The briefcase’s central message is that progress does not require differences to disappear. Instead, Malaysia can draw strength from its diversity, combining different capabilities and traditions to build a more resilient and sustainable future. - October 9, 2026
