Sumba Weaving Showcased at Indonesia-Singapore Orchid Extravaganza

PT Astra International Tbk is bringing Indonesian local potential to the international stage by featuring the Sumba East Regency's Sejahtera Village program at the Indonesia-Singapore Orchid Extravaganza. Held at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore from July 4 to August 10, 2026, the event is part of the MASA Singapore 2026: A Sight Into Indonesia's Golden Era series.

Astra's participation aims to introduce Indonesia's rich culture and showcase community empowerment initiatives rooted in local potential to a diverse international audience. Boy Kelana Soebroto, Chief of Corporate Affairs at Astra, stated that the presence of the Sumba East Regency's Sejahtera Village in Singapore continues the company's efforts to promote Indonesian creativity globally. "Through collaboration with various stakeholders, Astra hopes that stories of community empowerment and Indonesia's local potential will become better known and open more opportunities for people to develop," Soebroto said in a press release on Tuesday (7/7/2026).

The Desa Sejahtera Astra Sumba Timur program supports five weaving villages in East Sumba Regency: Raja Prailiu, Mbatakapidu, Lambanapu, Mauliru, and Kawangu. Through this program, Astra promotes the preservation of Sumba's distinctive Ikat weaving while strengthening the community's economy. Each weaving motif represents cultural identity, local wisdom, and the deep connection between the community, nature, and ancestral traditions.

Currently, Astra's weaving ecosystem involves approximately 250 artisans, with 97 percent being women. This initiative not only keeps cultural heritage alive but also generates sustainable income for the community. At the exhibition, Astra presents the "Rumah Sumba" installation, which shares the inspiring stories of the weavers from Desa Sejahtera Astra Sumba Timur. The installation features Sumba Ikat weaving and documentation of the weavers' activities, illustrating the synergy between cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and women's roles in community development. Astra also supported the creation of a Rafflesia arnoldii flower artwork made from 29,100 recycled plastic bottle caps, blending creativity, innovation, and environmental consciousness.