Eka Nickmatul Huda, 32, knew just what to wear on Indonesia's National Batik Day, celebrated on October 2nd. A two-sided printed batik vest was matched with her denim pants and hijab. She even brought two pairs of shoes for the day, flats and heels, since she had different events to attend.

"I love to mix and match my clothes. And National Batik Day is a perfect moment to do that. This batik vest makes me look more elegant, I think," the freelance photographer told Khabar Southeast Asia.

National Batik Day, she said, is an important move by the government to preserve the country's culture, which needs strong support from Indonesian people.

Although batik is sold in other countries, notably Malaysia, their versions are not as authentic as those in Indonesia, Eka said, citing a recent trip to Kuala Lumpur.

"I saw they sell batiks [in the local mall]," she said. "But the motifs were not as good as ours; the motifs of Indonesian batik have a long history. For examples, a specific Parang (war) motif could only be worn by kings and not by ordinary people," she said.

"I'm proud to be an Indonesian whose batik is a part of our culture," Eka added.

Nuraini, 32, did not have to wait until National Batik Day to honour the custom. She and her office colleagues have worn batiks every Friday for the past four years – ever since UNESCO designated Indonesian batik a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" on October 2nd, 2009.

"We have a batik uniform we wear every Friday. As a hijaber, I pick the design Islam requires. It should cover my body. Mine is long-sleeved and loose," said Nuraini, who is employed in marketing administration.

"The National Batik Day brings us together to help preserve our culture. Batik is our nation's identity. If there is no such day, we would not recognize batiks as a part of our life, our culture," she told Khabar. ‬

Jauhari Zamzari, a 54-year-old Islamic cleric in Jakarta, told Khabar that Muslims in Indonesia are not obligated to wear batik. However, batik and Islam make a good combination.

"We are Muslims, but we are also Indonesian. Batik is a [part of] Indonesian heritage. Therefore, it is always good to see that Indonesian Muslims also care about heritage. I am not sure about the detailed history of batik, but I think Islam contributed to it," he told Khabar on October 6th.

Wearing batik made in Indonesia will also help the local economy, Jauhari said. "I suggest only buying original batik made in in our country. That way we also will help our fellow [Indonesian] Muslims," he said.

National Batik Day has been celebrated ever since the UNESCO recognition. All public servants and senior officials are required to wear batik for the day. State Secretary Dipo Alam even put the order in a letter distributed to every ministerial and non-ministerial office.

Residents of the Marunda apartment in North Jakarta celebrated by staging a batik-painting competition. About 100 participants made batik prints of various motifs using traditional tools, according to the news portal Republika.

In Madrid, the Indonesian Embassy held a batik fashion show introducing three Indonesian batik designers: Kunce-Ramli, Dana, and Zikin. The embassy also invited guests to watch the making of batiks.