Penang-based bag designer Chew Kai Hung recently completed an extraordinary project that gained national attention.
He designed a custom bag that was eventually carried by Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a key moment in Malaysia’s political calendar.
In a video on Instagram (@kaihungofficial), Chew shared that the project began as a mystery.
A trusted client requested him to design a bag but kept the recipient’s identity a secret. “I never would have guessed who it was,” he admitted.
A Bag Representing Malaysia’s Cultural Heritage
The client specified that the bag should showcase Malaysia’s multicultural identity.
The design incorporated Songket fabric for the exterior and Saree material (an Indian traditional garment) for the inner lining.
These choices represented Malay and Indian cultural elements, respectively. Chew also added his personal touch as a Chinese designer by including his logo.
An Iconic Bag for a National Moment
As reported by Astro Awani, the bag was prominently used by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to carry the Belanjawan 2025 Malaysia MADANI (Malaysia’s 2025 Budget) documents to Parliament.
This was Anwar’s third national budget presentation as Malaysia’s Finance Minister.
The black-and-gold songket, handwoven by Kelantan’s Adiguru Rasiah Yusoff, gave the bag a prestigious look.
According to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the songket symbolizes Malaysia’s heritage and the importance of the budget documents it carries.
A Proud Moment for Chew Kai Hung
Following this revelation, Chew called the project one of the most incredible moments of his career. Seeing the Prime Minister carry his creation was unforgettable.
The Meaning Behind Songket and Saree
Songket is more than just a fabric—it is a part of Malaysia’s history and tradition. Using it for this bag highlighted the importance of Malaysia’s 2025 Budget documents.
On the other hand, the Saree lining added another layer of meaning, reflecting Malaysia’s multicultural identity.
Watch the video here:
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