Che Rohayati Binti Abdullah, fondly known as Kak Tie, has been immersed in the world of traditional arts for over two decades. With a background in museum management, she was already familiar with the language of heritage and craftsmanship before formally entering the field. Her journey deepened after marrying the late Norhaiza, a master woodcarver, whom she spent 24 years alongside — managing, observing, and gradually absorbing the discipline of fine craftsmanship.
She formally became involved in Telepuk in 2014, when efforts emerged to revive a craft that was going extinct. Guided by Norhaiza’s principles, she embraced the meticulous and patient nature of the art; from woodblock preparation to adhesive research and gold application. For her, Telepuk is not merely decorative textile work, but an exclusive heritage craft rooted in refinement, symbolism, and civilisational identity. She believes its rarity and delicacy are precisely what define its value, and that its traditional methods must be preserved with integrity rather than replaced for convenience.
At the core of Rohayati’s practice is a strong belief in our heritage and roots, where growth depends entirely on the strength of its foundation. While acknowledging the presence of technology, she maintains that everyone must first understand how their ancestors created without modern tools before attempting adaptation. Through education, outreach, and steady advocacy, she continues to position Telepuk within its rightful cultural context; exclusive, dignified, and grounded in tradition, ensuring that its legacy endures with authenticity for generations to come.