Craft Council of Malaysia Malaysian Society of Interior Designers (MSID) had been officially affiliated with Craft Council of Malaysia through the formation of National Working Group, Malaysia for Asian Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) in a meeting held on 14th August 1999 at the National Museum Kuala Lumpur. AHPADA is a forum of Asean representatives from both the Government and Private Sectors established as a result of the International Workshop on Handicraft for export held in conjunction with CONEX' 81 in Bangkok, Thailand in February 1981. The core members of National Working Group Malaysia for AHPADA include Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation (MHDC) and National Art Gallery, NAG (Member of Asean Working Group on Visual and Performing Arts) from the Government bodies, Craft Council of Malaysia (CCM), member of WCC, Malaysian Society of Interior Designers (MSID) , Society of Atelier Sarawak (SAS), Sarawak Craft Council (SCC) and Malay Chamber of Commerce Federal Territory (MCCFT). Since AHPADA's inception in Bangkok in 1981, Malaysia has played an active role in the development of its policy, strategy and plan of action. For many years, MHDC was the representative on the AHPADA Board. Since 1990, as a result of MHDC thrust and priority to strengthen the organisation at the national level, the representation was taken over by the private sector. Malaysia served as a President on a rotational basis. With the formation on the Craft Council of Malaysia, as national NGO, CCM has established a linkage with AHPADA. AHPADA national chapters role is to strengthen its representation through new membership and activate more participation of its programmes as well as initiate intra regional linkages. In support of this initiative, Malaysia formed the AHPADA Malaysia National Working Group, as a vehicle of networking amongst related bodies and agencies concerned with craft development with the following concept : Main features of National Working Group Malaysia (NWGM): 1. As a forum of interested bodies / agencies from the Government and private business sectors committed to the objectives of AHPADA. 2. As a policy formulating body, develop strategies and plan of action at the national level for the consideration of AHPADA. 3. Solicits fund from Government, private business sectors and other sources to fund its national and regional level projects and the operation of national chapters. 4. Identifies and appoints an appropriate member to undertake the coordinating role in the implementation of programmes, projects and activities approved by AHPADA. 5. Acts as a liaison body for AHPADA in Malaysia. 6. A core member will be elected to represent NWGM at AHPADA forum and rotational basis. 7. NWGM will formulate the guidelines and working procedures.