A memorable moment occurred during the APKASI Otonomi Expo 2025 at ICE BSD, where President Prabowo stopped at the stand of the Badan Pengelola Dana Perkebunan (BPDP) of the Finance Ministry. He focused on an innovative product — Batik Sawit — developed by UNY alumnus Miftahudin Nur Ihsan, Founder of Smart Batik Indonesia.

Ihsan explained to the President that the wax (melt medium) used in making the batik is derived from palm-oil by-products, resulting from research by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Batik Center. “Alhamdulillah, we already involve 65 women batik artisans in Jogja,” Ihsan said with enthusiasm.

Hearing this explanation, President Prabowo responded simply but meaningfully: “Good, develop it.” This direct recognition from the President is a significant boost for Smart Batik.

The Batik Sawit product is not only environmentally friendly, but has also obtained halal certification and an official trademark. The innovation is expected to become a new breakthrough in the batik industry, while strengthening Indonesia’s position as a global batik centre through a modern, research-based, community empowerment approach.