Surabaya, East Java, Aug. 11 -- East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa urged locals to appreciate and promote Sampang Batik, a hand-written form of batik known for its natural colors and high quality, and regarded as cultural heritage from Madura.

"I know a bit about various batik types. At first glance, there are similarities between Sampang and Pamekasan (batik), but in terms of coloring, (Sampang's) is clearer and uses natural colours, very much like Cirebon's batik," Parawansa noted in a statement received in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday.

The governor explained that the similarities reflect cultural intersections across Indonesia. Moreover, batik, with its unique qualities, is more than just a fabric; it is a cultural asset....