The word batik is thought to be derived from the word ‘ambatik’ which means a cloth with little dots with the suffix ‘tik’ meaning little dot, drop, point or to make dots. In the 17th century, Batik made its debut in Europe when the Dutch who colonized Java, Indonesia, introduced this art for to that part of the world. 

​

Malaysia batik can be found on the east coast of Malaysia such as Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang while the batik in Johor shows Javanese and Sumatran influences. Malaysian batik usually do not display other motifs except plants and flowers, except butterfly theme, to avoid the interpretation of human and animal images as idolatry, in accordance with local Islamic doctrine.