PETALING JAYA, May 23 — While most eyes were on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he arrived at the Prime Minister’s Department on Monday, fashion critics had theirs locked onto his wife’s handbag.
Social media was filled with curiosity: What brand? Is it expensive? Is it cheap? Is it a Birkin?
Local publications thought it was a RM145 Marie Claire handbag available on Zalora, but it may not be.
Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali might just be using a handbag from a Japan-based leather bag brand called Hamano, which costs only RM2,000.
The bag seems to be from their Delight Elegance range and comes in four different colours.
Hamano was established in 1880 and has a history of making custom-made leather goods.
An eagled-eyed Malaysian pointed out the differences and shared where the bag might be from while reading an article published by Coconuts KL.
The Marie Claire handbag available on Zalora did not seem to have a latch across the main compartment while the Hamano bag appears to fit the bill perfectly.
Despite it being nearly RM1,800 more than what it was believed to have cost, it is a far cry from what one would pay for an Hermes Birkin.
On Friday, police seized 284 boxes containing Hermes handbags along with 72 suitcases stuffed with cash, watches and various pieces of jewellery.
