Pasangan duet serasi Ahmad Syafiq dan Wawa Shazwa kembali mewarnai persada muzik tanah air dengan taruhan terbaharu mereka berjudul ‘Menduakan Cinta’. Single ini tampil dengan nuansa emosi yang lebih mendalam, sekali gus menonjolkan kematangan vokal dan sisi puitis kedua-dua penyanyi tersebut. Menerusi lagu ini, mereka meneroka genre balada yang lebih menyentuh perasaan, berbeza daripada karya terdahulu.
Sebelum ini, Ahmad Syafiq dan Wawa Shazwa pernah bekerjasama merakamkan semula lagu ‘Buat Insan Tersayang’ yang pernah dipopularkan oleh Eddie Hamid dan Ashira, dan versi tersebut berjaya meraih lebih daripada satu juta tontonan di YouTube. Di bawah bimbingan komposer tersohor Eddie Hamid, mereka sekali lagi diberikan kepercayaan penuh untuk menterjemahkan rintihan jiwa yang terpendam ke dalam melodi ‘Menduakan Cinta’.
Menurut Ahmad Syafiq, kali ini mereka menguji keserasian dalam genre yang berbeza dan menganggap lagu tersebut bukan sekadar sebuah karya biasa, sebaliknya sebuah rintihan jiwa yang menuntut komitmen sepenuhnya agar dapat sampai ke hati pendengar. Selain Eddie Hamid, lagu ini turut dicipta bersama komposer Barr Hadif dan Aiman Zaidi, manakala liriknya dihasilkan secara kolaboratif oleh mereka bertiga bersama Hakim Hakimi dan Jaju.
Lagu ini membawa pendengar menyelami konflik dua insan yang masih saling mencintai namun terpaksa akur pada takdir. Ia bukan sekadar kisah perpisahan, tetapi menggambarkan realiti pahit apabila cinta lama tidak lagi dapat diselamatkan. Wawa Shazwa menjelaskan bahawa lagu ini menyentuh perasaan bersalah seolah-olah ‘menduakan cinta’ yang pernah dibina, walaupun kasih sayang masih kuat, perpisahan terpaksa dipilih demi kebaikan semua pihak. Beliau juga tetap memberikan komitmen vokal terbaik meskipun sedang hamil lima bulan ketika proses rakaman dijalankan.
Proses rakaman dilakukan sebanyak dua kali bagi memastikan kualiti dan emosi yang disampaikan berada pada tahap terbaik. Keakraban pasukan produksi serta arahan jelas daripada Eddie Hamid turut memudahkan perjalanan sesi rakaman, sekali gus membantu kedua-dua penyanyi menghayati sepenuhnya rintihan jiwa dalam lagu ini.
Menariknya, ‘Menduakan Cinta’ turut dijadikan lagu runut bunyi bagi drama bersiri terbaharu ‘Bayangan Lelaki Sempurna’ yang disiarkan dalam slot Akasia di TV3 pada jam 7 malam. Drama 28 episod ini dibintangi oleh Adam Lee, Sweet Qismina dan Nadia Brian. Lagu terbitan Nova Music Malaysia ini kini boleh distrim di semua platform penstriman muzik digital utama, manakala video muzik rasminya boleh ditonton di saluran YouTube Nova Music Videos melalui pautan https://youtu.be/xBFCFkMKEsE?si=zkDgvXbs9Dj4cm1C.
Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Chong Keat Aun, the film delivers a career-defining performance by international icon Fan Bingbing and secured three major wins at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards, marking a significant milestone for Malaysian cinema. From May 10 to 14, Chong Keat Aun will lead Fan Bingbing alongside Bai Run-yin, Natalie Hsu, and Pearlly Chua on a nationwide tour across Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Melaka, Penang, and Kedah, where they will meet fans throughout the country, with full tour details to be announced.
Inspired by folk legends of a mysterious witch in the paddy fields of Kedah, “Mother Bhumi” is set in the 1990s, where land disputes in a Siamese village trigger a series of strange and unsettling events. By day, the protagonist is a farmer, but by night she becomes a ritual healer, caring for her community while resisting dark forces and confronting deeply rooted tensions surrounding borders, ethnicity, power, and patriarchy. Blending elements of magical realism, female empowerment, and land-related issues, the film received eight nominations at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards and went on to win Best Leading Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Film Song. Through her powerful portrayal of the “Kedah Witch,” Fan Bingbing earned her first Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress.
The film has also received international acclaim, having been selected for the main competition at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival and the 28th Udine Far East Film Festival. At Udine, Fan Bingbing will be honored with the Golden Mulberry Award for Outstanding Achievement, sharing the recognition with legendary Japanese actor Kōji Yakusho.
Selepas melalui tempoh rehat yang agak panjang, kumpulan muzik tempatan Sakura Band kini kembali mewarnai industri muzik tanah air dengan pelancaran album terbaharu mereka berjudul “RE:START”, yang menandakan titik kebangkitan semula buat kumpulan ini. Album tersebut dilancarkan menerusi sebuah persembahan istimewa sempena sidang media yang berlangsung di Hard Rock Café, Kuala Lumpur pada 17 April 2026.
Menurut Mell atau nama sebenarnya Melly Matius yang mewakili Sakura Band, pemilihan judul “RE:START” bukan sekadar simbolik, tetapi menggambarkan fasa baharu yang dilalui oleh kumpulan itu. Katanya, konsep kali ini menandakan kemunculan semula Sakura Band selepas berehat agak lama, dan dari segi muzik mereka menampilkan sedikit perubahan dengan arah pop rock, namun masih mengekalkan identiti asal kumpulan tersebut.
Album ini dibuka dengan trek pengenalan berjudul “RE:START” yang berfungsi sebagai pembuka kepada keseluruhan naratif album. Mell menjelaskan bahawa setiap lagu dalam album ini mempunyai cerita tersendiri yang diambil daripada pengalaman peribadi ahli kumpulan, menjadikannya lebih dekat dan bermakna buat mereka.
Sebagai strategi memperkenalkan semula identiti muzik kepada peminat lama, Sakura Band memilih lagu berunsur pop berjudul “Masih” sebagai single pertama. Lagu ini dipilih kerana mempunyai elemen pop yang kuat serta membawa vibe yang hampir dengan karya mereka sebelum ini seperti “Melepaskanmu”, sekali gus berfungsi sebagai jambatan untuk mengembalikan pendengar kepada muzik Sakura Band.
Dari segi produksi, album ini turut menampilkan kolaborasi bersama beberapa nama berpengalaman dalam industri muzik. Sakura Band kembali bekerjasama dengan penyanyi dan penulis lagu Adi 6ixth Sense, selain menjalinkan kerjasama pertama dengan penerbit Laq, yang juga merupakan gitaris kumpulan Akim & The Majistret. Proses rakaman bagi lagu “Masih” dan “Bulan & Bintang” dilaporkan berjalan dengan lancar hasil keserasian dan keterbukaan dalam perkongsian idea antara semua pihak yang terlibat.
Keunikan “RE:START” juga terletak pada pendekatan penulisan lagu yang lebih autentik dan dekat dengan realiti kehidupan seharian. Sakura Band banyak mengambil inspirasi daripada pengalaman, perasaan serta pemerhatian terhadap apa yang berlaku di sekeliling mereka, dengan harapan agar pendengar dapat lebih mudah mengaitkan diri dengan lagu-lagu tersebut.
Dari segi bunyi dan susunan muzik, album ini memperlihatkan evolusi yang lebih matang dengan penerokaan genre pop rock yang lebih berat serta elemen eksperimen. Ini juga merupakan kali pertama Sakura Band menghasilkan dan menerbitkan album sendiri, sekali gus memberi ruang kepada mereka untuk lebih bebas bereksplorasi sambil mengekalkan identiti muzik tersendiri.
Namun begitu, proses penghasilan album ini tidak terlepas daripada cabaran, khususnya dalam mencari idea dan konsep yang segar serta mengekalkan momentum sepanjang produksi yang bermula sejak Januari 2025. Walaupun berdepan kekangan masa dan komitmen masing-masing, Sakura Band berjaya menyiapkan album ini dengan kepuasan penuh dan menganggap pengalaman tersebut sebagai satu proses pembelajaran yang berharga.
Sakura Band berharap “RE:START” dapat diterima baik oleh peminat serta pendengar muzik tempatan, selain mengukuhkan lagi kedudukan mereka dalam industri. Mereka turut merakamkan penghargaan kepada Seventeen Eleven Music atas peluang dan kepercayaan yang diberikan, dengan harapan album ini menjadi titik permulaan kepada lebih banyak karya dan kolaborasi pada masa akan datang.
Album “RE:START” terbitan Seventeen Eleven Music ini boleh mula distrim di semua platform penstriman muzik digital utama pada 17 April 2026. Muzik video rasmi bagi lagu “Masih” pula boleh ditonton di saluran YouTube Seventeen Eleven Music pada hari yang sama jam 3 petang melalui pautan yang disediakan.
The International Café and Beverage Show (ICBS) 2026 returns for its 5th edition from 7 to 9 May at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, bringing together a dynamic global community under one roof. Over the three-day event, ICBS is expected to welcome 650 brands, 1,000 baristas and 2,000 café owners, with an estimated 13,000 attendees from 55 countries. As Malaysia’s only dedicated café and beverage trade show, ICBS has evolved from a niche industry gathering into a key indicator of the direction café culture is taking in Malaysia and across the wider region.
Organised by Montgomery Asia in partnership with Barista Guild Asia, Eciatto, and HJC Global Tea Fair, ICBS 2026 introduces several new developments that reflect the industry’s rapid evolution. The most notable addition this year is a dedicated tea segment developed with HJC Global Tea Fair, marking a first in the show’s five-year history. This segment brings global tea innovations to the ICBS floor at a time when tea is increasingly moving from a supporting offering to a central feature in modern café menus across Malaysia and the region.
According to Mr Alun Jones, Project Director of Montgomery Asia, ICBS has become a catalyst for Southeast Asia’s beverage economy, serving as a platform where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are formed, and businesses discover new pathways for growth. He added that as the show enters its fifth edition, it not only reflects the industry but actively helps shape it. In 2026, the beverage landscape is more diverse and innovation-driven than ever, with coffee continuing to anchor café culture while speciality tea, ready-to-drink beverages and mixology-inspired concepts gaining strong momentum. ICBS, he noted, is designed to give industry players direct access to these emerging opportunities.
The timing of this growth is significant. Malaysia’s foodservice sector is valued at USD 14.75 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 27.50 billion by 2030, according to industry data. Within this, demand for premium and functional beverages is accelerating, with the ready-to-drink tea segment alone expected to grow by USD 32.4 million between 2025 and 2030. These figures reflect broader shifts in consumer behaviour, including how Malaysians spend, socialise and seek new experiences, with ICBS serving as a key platform for the industry to respond to these changes.
Anchoring the competitive element of the show is the Malaysia Open Coffee Championship (MOCC), which brings together 38 competitors across three categories: the Malaysia Open Brewers Cup, Malaysia Open Latte Art Championship and Malaysia Open Barista Championship. Beyond being a skills showcase, the MOCC functions as a talent pipeline that continues to elevate standards within Malaysia’s barista community.
Alongside these championships, ICBS 2026 will also spotlight Malaysia’s evolving beverage creativity through the Unite Malaysian Taste Challenge 2026. The competition gathers emerging and experienced mixologists to craft story-driven mocktails inspired by Malaysia’s diverse flavour heritage, transforming local ingredients into distinctive expressions of taste. More than a mixology showcase, it reinforces ICBS’s role as a platform where Malaysian concepts take centre stage, offering producers and café operators a meaningful opportunity to present homegrown innovation to both trade and public audiences.
Mr Alun Jones further noted that Malaysia’s café scene has matured significantly over the past decade, moving beyond chain coffee into a landscape defined by independent cafés, speciality roasters and concept-driven spaces, supported by a consumer base that actively seeks out these experiences. He emphasised that ICBS sits at the centre of this ecosystem, not only as an exhibition but as a space where the next wave of ideas in Malaysian café culture often emerges.
Entry to ICBS 2026 is free, with registration now open. The exhibition runs from 7 to 9 May, welcoming trade visitors throughout all three days, while opening to the public on 9 May for visitors to experience the show floor and explore the latest developments in coffee, tea and beverage innovation. More information on ICBS 2026, including exhibition opportunities, partnership enquiries and visitor passes, is available at https://intl-cbs.com/.
The British Council has announced the team selected to represent the UK at the 20th International Architecture Exhibition of the 2027 Venice Biennale. The 2027 British Pavilion will present a UK–Malaysia collaboration marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This initiative builds on the success of the UK–Kenya collaboration at the 2025 British Pavilion, which received La Biennale’s Special Mention award.
The open call for the 2027 edition invited proposals that challenge contemporary architecture and respond to the British Council’s UK–Malaysia Human-Nature programme, which explores the relationships between people, place and the natural environment. From a shortlist of six proposals, the selected team was chosen by a panel of architects, educators and cultural professionals from the UK and Malaysia, chaired by Sevra Davis, Director of Architecture, Design and Fashion at the British Council.
The project will be led by UK-based curators Dr Guan Lee and Mike Lim, alongside a curatorial team including Maria McLintock and Ben Swaby Selig. They will collaborate closely with Penang-based artisans Ng Chi Wang, Lee Shao Chin and Koh Eng Keat. The commission will explore themes of impermanence in architecture, diaspora culture and the ways migration transforms living traditions in Malaysia and around the world.
Drawing on Malaysian traditions of ritual paper architecture, the installation will reference temporary structures made from recycled paper on bamboo frames. It will take inspiration from the Hungry Ghost Festival, where ceremonial structures are created, used and then released.
Sevra Davis, Director of Architecture, Design and Fashion at the British Council, said the project celebrates 70 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Malaysia and highlights the role of architecture, ritual and cultural memory. She added that the exhibition builds on the success of the UK–Kenya collaboration in 2025 and continues the British Council’s commitment to fostering cultural connection through the Venice Biennale.
The appointed curatorial team said they are honoured to bring the Festival of Hungry Ghosts to the British Pavilion at La Biennale di Venezia 2027 as a celebration of diasporic culture and living traditions shaped by migration. They explained that the festival, which reflects acts of care for ancestors and wandering spirits, is grounded in a construction tradition where impermanence is seen as a guiding principle rather than a limitation. They added that building for disappearance represents one of the most radical approaches to architectural thinking today.
Jazreel Goh, Country Director Malaysia at the British Council, said the collaboration presents an opportunity to celebrate UK–Malaysia creative exchange on a global platform in conjunction with 70 years of diplomatic relations. She noted that the project’s focus on ritual architecture, migration and regenerative design is both timely and relevant.
Pei Tsen Yeoh, Director of YTL Construction and member of the selection committee, said that following a rigorous two-stage process, the selected proposal presents a sensitive, joyful and culturally grounded approach that successfully balances conceptual ambition with practical delivery. She added that positioning ritual architecture as a model for regenerative futures gives the project both poetic depth and contemporary relevance.
The Selection Committee for the 2027 British Pavilion includes representatives from architecture, design, culture and heritage organisations across the UK and Malaysia, chaired by Sevra Davis of the British Council.
The curatorial team brings together diverse expertise. Dr Guan Lee, born in Malaysia, is founding director of Grymsdyke Farm and Associate Professor at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, with a practice focused on process-led design and material exploration. Mike Lim, a British architect of Malaysian heritage, is co-founder of IDK, a London and Paris-based studio whose work includes major cultural projects such as the David Bowie Centre at V&A East Storehouse and upcoming commissions at Tate Modern and the V&A.
Maria McLintock is a curator, writer and lecturer with experience across leading institutions including the Design Museum London, MoMA New York and Ikon Gallery. She also works on research projects exploring migration systems and will begin a PhD at The Bartlett, UCL. Ben Swaby Selig is a London-based curator and sound artist at V&A East whose practice combines material culture, technology and public engagement through exhibitions, performances and installations.
The Malaysia-based artisan team includes Ng Chi Wang and Lee Shao Chin of Lian Yin Art in Penang, specialists in traditional paper and bamboo craft, and Koh Eng Keat of 358 Custom Effigies Workshop in George Town, who continues a family tradition of producing intricate paper effigies and sculptural works, some of which have been exhibited internationally.
Together, the collaboration brings together architecture, craft and cultural memory to explore how traditions of making and impermanence can inform contemporary architectural thinking on a global stage.
Festival Jabat Erat (Fringe Arts Festival) yang akan berlangsung dari 5 hingga 7 Jun ini dijangka menjadi antara acara seni alternatif paling dinanti tahun ini apabila menghimpunkan penggiat muzik dan seni dari pelbagai latar belakang dalam satu platform yang inklusif. Dianjurkan oleh Rockstation Event & Entertainment Sdn. Bhd., festival ini bukan sekadar acara hiburan, sebaliknya sebuah gerakan komuniti yang mengangkat semangat D.I.Y dan budaya independen, merangkumi pelbagai aspek daripada produksi muzik fizikal seperti vinil dan kaset hingga penganjuran jelajah serta pengedaran karya secara mandiri.
Menurut Pengarah Urusannya, Mozylir Mokhtarudin, Jabat Erat berperanan sebagai hab rangkaian yang menghubungkan pemain industri dari Malaysia, Asia Tenggara dan antarabangsa, sekali gus membuka ruang kolaborasi antara artis mapan dan bakat baharu dalam pelbagai genre seperti rock, punk, shoegaze dan metal. Bertempat di ODEON KL yang telah dihidupkan semula sebagai ruang seni pelbagai guna, festival ini turut memberi penekanan kepada penglibatan belia dalam suasana yang selamat, terbuka dan berteraskan komuniti. Lebih 20 artis termasuk nama antarabangsa seperti Yellow Fang, Megumi Acorda dan Coaltar of the Deepers akan membuat persembahan, di samping barisan artis tempatan yang semakin mendapat perhatian.
Dalam masa yang sama, festival ini turut memperlihatkan kerjasama strategik antara ODEON KL dan Loket MY sebagai rakan rasmi tiket, sekali gus memperkukuh ekosistem industri kreatif tempatan melalui integrasi teknologi dan pengurusan acara yang lebih efisien. Kolaborasi ini bukan sahaja memudahkan proses pembelian tiket, malah membantu penganjur memahami kehendak penonton dengan lebih baik. Dengan harga tiket bermula daripada RM118 untuk pra-jualan, Jabat Erat dilihat berpotensi menjadi pemangkin kepada pertumbuhan budaya seni alternatif di Malaysia serta mengukuhkan pertukaran budaya di peringkat antarabangsa.
As the world continues to navigate ongoing economic pressures, including concerns around oil supply and rising fuel costs, many governments are encouraging businesses to adopt hybrid work arrangements as a way to support operational efficiency and reduce commuting demand. In Malaysia, the Government has introduced such measures for civil servants, including ministries, government agencies, and government-linked companies.
This shift towards more flexible work models is further supported by a global Zoom survey, which found that 75% of employees believe their current remote or hybrid work tools require improvement, while 72% are calling for increased investment in new workplace technologies.
In response to these evolving demands, Jabra, a global leader in professional audio and video solutions, continues to enhance its hybrid work portfolio. Designed to support everything from individual focus work to full-room collaboration, its latest innovations prioritise clear communication, mobility, and scalable deployment across organisations.
Today, Jabra introduces two key additions to its hybrid work ecosystem: the Jabra Evolve3 headset series and the Jabra PanaCast Room Kit.
The Jabra Evolve3 series represents a new generation of professional headsets designed to address ongoing challenges in virtual communication. According to Jabra’s Certification Study (2023), 83% of knowledge workers report that poor audio quality negatively affects online meetings, with call clarity identified as the most common issue in headset usage. Despite this, 46% of professionals still rely on consumer-grade headsets, which may not meet the requirements of professional-grade communication in terms of clarity, comfort, and compatibility.
The Jabra Evolve3 series is purpose-built for hybrid professionals who move between office, home, and mobile environments. It is available in both over-the-ear (Evolve3 85) and on-the-ear (Evolve3 75) variants, featuring a discreet boomless design powered by next-generation audio intelligence.
At the core of the series is Jabra ClearVoice technology, supported by deep neural network (DNN) models trained on more than 60 million real-world sentences. This allows the system to isolate the user’s voice from background noise without the need for a visible boom microphone. Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) further enhances performance by adjusting dynamically to the user’s environment and headset fit, ensuring clearer audio during calls and media use.
As workplace communication becomes increasingly mobile, voice interaction is also gaining importance. Research indicates that voice input can be up to three times faster than typing, making accurate speech capture essential for professionals working in dynamic or screen-free environments. The Evolve3 series is designed with this in mind, offering extended battery life and fast-charging capabilities to support full-day usage.
Shared key features across both Jabra Evolve3 85 and Evolve3 75 include a boomless AI-enhanced multi-microphone system powered by Jabra ClearVoice, Adaptive ANC during calls, Spatial Sound for a more natural audio experience, up to 37 hours of battery life with 10-minute fast charging providing up to 10 hours of use, secure Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity with Google Fast Pair and no dongle requirement, UC certification for leading virtual meeting platforms, and configuration and updates via the Jabra Plus mobile app.
The Evolve3 85 (over-ear) model is designed for maximum immersion and noise isolation, making it suitable for professionals working in louder environments. It offers up to 25 hours of call time or up to 120 hours of media playback (with ANC and busylight off), along with 10-minute fast charging for up to 10 hours of use. It also features a foldable design and compact carrying case for portability.
The Evolve3 75 (on-ear) model provides a lighter and more breathable fit, ideal for hybrid workers who require greater situational awareness. It delivers up to 22 hours of talk time or up to 110 hours of media playback (with ANC and busylight off), along with the same 10-minute fast-charge capability for extended daily use. Its more compact form factor makes it suitable for frequent travel and mobility.
Complementing its personal audio solutions, the Jabra PanaCast Room Kit extends intelligent collaboration into meeting rooms of all sizes. Designed for plug-and-play deployment and scalable configurations, the system delivers consistent video and audio performance for medium to large meeting spaces.
The kit is available in configurations supporting one, three, or five cameras, allowing organisations to match coverage to room size and layout while maintaining a consistent user experience across locations. Built on Jabra’s panoramic video technology and multi-camera intelligence, the system automatically frames speakers and captures the entire room. Integrated audio ensures remote participants can clearly hear discussions from any position, supporting a more inclusive meeting experience.
The Jabra PanaCast Room Kit includes the Jabra PanaCast 50 VBS, a video bar that supports extension audio and multi-camera setups, delivering 180-degree panoramic video with intelligent framing and edge AI features. It also includes the Jabra PanaCast SpeakerMic, an extension microphone that captures voices evenly across the room while providing intuitive meeting controls. In addition, the system features an expandable multi-camera setup powered by Huddly Crew technology, enabling intelligent speaker tracking and dynamic framing based on active speakers.
Across Asia Pacific, organisations are increasingly investing in workplace technologies that balance flexibility with performance. According to the Jabra Knowledge Worker Study conducted with the London School of Economics, 60% of professionals expect voice to become the primary interface for workplace technology within the next three years. By integrating intelligent personal audio with scalable room-based video systems, Jabra aims to deliver a unified ecosystem designed for the evolving needs of hybrid teams.
“From individual workspaces to full meeting rooms, organisations across APAC need collaboration technology that is reliable, adaptable, and built to scale,” said Melvin Phun, Country Manager at Jabra Malaysia. “With Jabra Evolve3 and the Jabra PanaCast Room Kit, we continue to strengthen our leadership in professional audio and video solutions for the next generation of work.”
Jabra Evolve3 85, priced at MYR 3,000, is now available via Jabra’s official Shopee and Lazada stores. Jabra Evolve3 75, priced at MYR 2,300, is also available through the same channels. The Jabra PanaCast Room Kit, priced from MYR 35,000 to MYR 75,000, is expected to be available in Malaysia in Q2 2026.
Castrol Malaysia today announced the expansion of its sponsorship in the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Malaysian Cub Prix Championship through its racing programme with Yuzy Racing. At the same time, the company introduced Castrol POWER1 ULTIMATE Scooter 10W-40, underscoring its continued commitment to performance engineering for both competitive racing and everyday scooter mobility.
Under the expanded arrangement, Castrol’s championship sponsorship now encompasses both the CP150 and CP125 categories, two of the championship’s premier underbone (“cub”) racing classes. On track, Castrol is represented through Yuzy Racing, fielding three bikes in the CP150 category and one in CP125. This broader involvement increases Castrol’s presence across multiple displacement classes within Malaysia’s leading underbone racing platform, reinforcing its commitment to rider development and advancing technical performance standards.
Launched alongside the initiative, Castrol POWER1 ULTIMATE Scooter 10W-40 is a premium fully synthetic engine oil formulated for modern scooters operating in high-heat, high-friction environments. Developed to support acceleration while delivering sustained protection under load, the formulation helps maintain performance stability across prolonged urban riding conditions. Aqeel Danish, Ahmad Darwisy, Mr. Gan Wee Kiong, Shahrol Yuzy, Azrooy Hakeem, and Shahrol Syazaras were present at the Cub Prix signing event.
“Cub Prix is one of Malaysia’s most competitive two-wheel racing platforms, where both rider and machine are pushed to perform consistently,” said Joshua Tan, Head of Marketing for Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. “By extending our sponsorship across both the CP150 and CP125 categories, we are reinforcing our presence in a setting where performance is continuously tested under race conditions, while also supporting the teams and emerging talent driving the championship forward.” He added that this same emphasis on consistency is reflected in Castrol POWER1 ULTIMATE Scooter 10W-40, noting that for many riders, performance is experienced through everyday conditions such as heat, stop-start traffic and extended operating hours, and that the company’s 5-in-1 Full Synthetic technology is designed to deliver smoother engine operation and enhanced protection against heat and wear in real-world riding environments.
(from left) Aqeel Danish, Ahmad Darwisy, Mr. Gan Wee Kiong, Shahrol Yuzy, Azrooy Hakeem, Shahrol Syazaras at the signing of Cub Prix event
Gan Wee Kiong, Country Sales Director for Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines at Castrol, said Cub Prix is an important platform for developing racing talent and testing performance in real racing conditions. He noted that insights gained from motorsports help Castrol develop better products for everyday riders, and that with the scooter segment continuing to grow in Malaysia, the introduction of Castrol POWER1 ULTIMATE Scooter reflects the company’s focus on supporting both racing performance and the needs of daily riders, while meeting the quality and regulatory standards expected in the Malaysian market.
Across Malaysia, scooters are used under demanding daily patterns, from urban commuting to work-related travel and delivery activity. These operating conditions place thermal and mechanical stress on engines over long hours of use, making lubrication performance a practical reliability decision rather than just a specification on paper. Castrol POWER1 ULTIMATE Scooter 10W-40 enters the market with this expectation in mind, reflecting Castrol’s continued focus on engineering solutions that perform reliably in real operating environments and meet the standards riders and service centres expect during maintenance, where dependable protection over actual mileage remains the priority.
Castrol POWER1 ULTIMATE Scooter 10W-40 is currently undergoing final regulatory approval and is expected to be available in the Malaysian market from May 2026 onwards following SIRIM certification. The product is already in production at Castrol’s manufacturing facility in Port Klang, and the certification ensures that engine oils meet the required national quality and performance standards before entering the market.
Dalam landskap pasaran tenaga global yang semakin tidak menentu akibat ketegangan geopolitik, bandar dan sektor persekitaran binaan kini perlu menyesuaikan diri dengan perubahan dinamik bekalan. Bangunan tidak lagi dilihat sebagai aset pasif, sebaliknya berperanan sebagai infrastruktur aktif yang mampu mengurangkan penggunaan tenaga, meningkatkan daya tahan serta mempercepat peralihan ke arah pembangunan rendah karbon.
Seiring dengan keperluan ini, pelancaran awal International Sustainability Week (ISW) 2026 yang dirasmikan hari ini oleh Menteri Sumber Asli dan Kelestarian Alam, Dato’ Sri Arthur Joseph Kurup, menandakan peralihan penting dalam pendekatan terhadap kelestarian, iaitu daripada penekanan kepada aspirasi kemampanan kepada pelaksanaan yang lebih nyata dan berimpak.
ISW 2026 dianjurkan bersama oleh GreenRE Sdn Bhd, badan penarafan dan pensijilan hijau yang ditubuhkan oleh REHDA, bersama penganjur utama Qube Integrated Malaysia. Platform ini diwujudkan sebagai ekosistem berteraskan piawaian yang menghubungkan dasar, pensijilan dan penyelesaian industri dalam satu rangka kerja bersepadu, dengan penekanan terhadap pelaksanaan, prestasi yang boleh diukur serta hasil sebenar dalam sektor persekitaran binaan.
Menurut Dato’ Sri Arthur Joseph Kurup, peranan bangunan perlu berkembang seiring dengan cabaran semasa. Beliau berkata bahawa amalan lestari dan pembangunan bandar bersepadu akan menjadi asas kepada daya tahan serta pertumbuhan ekonomi pada masa hadapan. ISW 2026, jelas beliau, menyediakan platform berstruktur untuk menggerakkan pihak berkepentingan daripada perbincangan kepada pelaksanaan, sekali gus memastikan impak sebenar kelestarian dapat direalisasikan pada skala besar.
Pelancaran ini turut menyaksikan pencapaian penting industri apabila GreenRE melepasi 500 juta kaki persegi keluasan lantai kasar (GFA) yang diperakui, mencerminkan perkembangan pesat dalam pelaksanaan piawaian bangunan hijau dalam sektor hartanah Malaysia.
Pengerusi GreenRE, Datuk Seri FD Iskandar, berkata pencapaian tersebut mencerminkan kesiapsiagaan industri yang semakin kukuh. Menurut beliau, pensijilan menjadi penghubung antara tuntutan hijau dan realiti sebenar, dan pencapaian 500 juta kaki persegi ini menunjukkan skala piawaian yang disahkan kini memainkan peranan penting dalam membentuk persekitaran binaan yang selari dengan jangkaan pelabur, penyewa dan pengawal selia. Beliau turut menegaskan bahawa ini menandakan peralihan industri daripada komitmen kepada pelaksanaan, apabila kelestarian bukan lagi sekadar aspirasi tetapi telah diintegrasikan dalam reka bentuk, pembinaan dan operasi bangunan. Dalam keadaan tekanan tenaga dan iklim yang semakin meningkat, rangka kerja yang berwibawa dan boleh diukur seperti GreenRE menjadi semakin kritikal dalam memastikan kelestarian memberikan nilai sebenar, bukan sekadar niat.
Bersempena World Green Building Week, ISW 2026 mengukuhkan kedudukan Malaysia dalam gerakan global untuk mempercepat pembangunan bangunan lestari dan bandar mampan. Acara ini akan berlangsung dari 10 hingga 11 September 2026 di Pusat Perdagangan dan Pameran Antarabangsa Malaysia (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.
ISW 2026 merupakan evolusi strategik kepada International Green Build Conference (IGBC) yang kini memasuki edisi keenam. Berteraskan peranan IGBC sebagai platform utama dialog dasar dan kepimpinan industri, ISW memperluaskan peranannya melalui integrasi GreenScape: International Green Innovation Exhibition, yang menggabungkan dasar, piawaian dan pelaksanaan dalam satu platform menyeluruh.
Bertemakan “From Certification to Transformation: Building a Net Zero Future Together,” IGBC akan memacu agenda dasar dan kepimpinan pemikiran, manakala GreenScape mengetengahkan teknologi sedia pelaksanaan serta model pembiayaan hijau yang menjadikan kelestarian lebih berdaya maju dari segi komersial. Secara keseluruhan, ISW 2026 menyediakan persekitaran bersepadu bagi menyelaraskan hala tuju dasar, piawaian dan keupayaan industri, sekali gus menyokong penyampaian hasil kelestarian yang boleh diukur dalam persekitaran binaan.
ISW 2026 dijangka menampilkan lebih 20 penceramah serantau dan antarabangsa, 100 pempamer inovasi serta 1,000 delegasi persidangan, dengan anggaran kehadiran sekitar 5,000 pengunjung dari dalam dan luar negara. Antara panel penceramah yang akan menyertai termasuk Nadia Verjee, Pengarah Eksekutif Expo City Dubai; Larry Ng, bekas Pengarah Kumpulan di Urban Redevelopment Authority Singapura; dan Joan Ko, Ketua Global Iklim dan Kelestarian Arup Australia. Mereka akan membincangkan topik seperti bandar sifar bersih, pembangunan bandar responsif iklim, tadbir urus dan piawaian, serta peranan data dan infrastruktur dalam menyampaikan hasil kelestarian yang boleh diukur.
Majlis pelancaran ini turut menyaksikan pertukaran Memorandum Kolaborasi (MoC) antara Qube Integrated Malaysia dan Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC) sebagai Rakan Sokongan. Kerjasama ini bertujuan menyelaraskan dua platform kemampanan utama negara, iaitu ISW 2026 dan IGEM, bagi memperluas penyertaan serta memperkukuh kerjasama antara pembuat dasar, industri dan penyedia penyelesaian.
Selain itu, REHDA Wilayah Persekutuan turut menyertai sebagai Rakan Strategik, manakala Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan (CIDB) Malaysia sebagai Rakan Sokongan. Rakan lain yang diumumkan termasuk Rakan Hotel Rasmi iaitu Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown, Imperial Lexis Kuala Lumpur dan Dorsett Hartamas Kuala Lumpur, serta Curio Pack sebagai Penghantar Kargo Rasmi dan EdgeProp sebagai Rakan Media Rasmi.
Malaysia akan terus bergerak ke hadapan secara berhemah dan bertanggungjawab ketika Kuala Lumpur bersiap sedia untuk meraikan Sambutan Hari Pekerja Sedunia bersama Festival Muzik Air Rain Rave yang akan berlangsung dari 30 April hingga 2 Mei 2026 di Bukit Bintang. Festival ini memberi peluang untuk mengalu-alukan pelawat dari seluruh rantau dan luar negara untuk menjadi sebahagian daripada pengalaman bersama yang merentas budaya di Malaysia.
Selain acara utama di Kuala Lumpur, tujuh negeri turut menyatakan kesediaan mereka untuk menganjurkan aktiviti berkaitan yang bertemakan selari dan saling melengkapi, disesuaikan dengan konteks tempatan serta elemen budaya masing-masing. Negeri-negeri tersebut termasuk Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, Kedah, Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan, Pahang dan Terengganu, sekali gus mencerminkan penyertaan yang lebih meluas di peringkat kebangsaan dalam meraikan acara ini.
Acara ini dianjurkan bersama oleh Tourism Malaysia dan The Fame sebagai sebahagian daripada ekosistem pelancongan Visit Malaysia 2026 yang lebih luas. Walaupun persekitaran global kekal tidak menentu, dalam tempoh sebegini penekanan perlu diberikan kepada usaha mengekalkan aktiviti ekonomi dan memastikan pertumbuhan yang inklusif. Inisiatif pelancongan yang dirancang dengan baik memainkan peranan penting dalam menyokong perniagaan tempatan, mengukuhkan daya tahan industri serta memastikan manfaat pertumbuhan pelancongan dapat diagihkan dengan lebih meluas, termasuk kepada komuniti B40.
Festival Muzik Air Rain Rave dilihat sebagai pengaktifan pelancongan bandar strategik yang mencerminkan masyarakat majmuk Malaysia serta mempromosikan keterangkuman, dengan menghimpunkan pemain industri, rakan kreatif dan pihak berkepentingan komersial, di samping meningkatkan kehadiran pelawat serta merangsang perbelanjaan merentas sektor runcit, hospitaliti dan perkhidmatan. Selain hiburan, festival ini turut mengintegrasikan elemen pelbagai budaya Malaysia, bakat kreatif tempatan dan pengalaman gaya hidup terkurasi yang mencerminkan kekuatan ekosistem industri kreatif negara, sambil menarik minat khalayak domestik dan antarabangsa. Pengunjung boleh menjangkakan persekitaran imersif yang diinspirasikan oleh hujan, barisan DJ antarabangsa dan serantau bersama artis Malaysia, serta pengalaman pasar tempatan terkurasi yang menampilkan makanan, budaya dan ekspresi kreatif Malaysia.
Rain Rave kekal berteraskan identiti Malaysia dengan pendekatan kontemporari yang mencerminkan gabungan tradisi dan kreativiti moden. Diinspirasikan oleh hujan sebagai elemen semula jadi penting dalam persekitaran Malaysia, festival ini mentransformasikan elemen tersebut kepada ekspresi kreatif dan budaya, sambil mempamerkan kepelbagaian tradisi budaya Malaysia melalui persembahan tradisional, makanan dan permainan. Bersempena Hari Pekerja, festival ini juga berfungsi sebagai penghargaan bermakna kepada sumbangan semua komuniti pekerja dan akan dibangunkan sebagai acara tahunan berprestij, sekali gus mengukuhkan peranannya sebagai sorotan utama dalam kalendar pelancongan Malaysia serta memposisikan negara sebagai destinasi yang muda dan bertenaga.
Acara ini turut disokong oleh rangkaian pihak berkepentingan awam dan swasta. Sokongan budaya dan kandungan disediakan oleh agensi seperti Istana Budaya, Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia (KRAFTANGAN), Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN) serta Jabatan Warisan Negara (JWN), sekali gus mempertingkatkan keseluruhan pengalaman pelawat. Tourism Malaysia menyokong inisiatif ini melalui usaha promosi destinasi di bawah Visit Malaysia 2026, manakala Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya berperanan sebagai pemudah cara dan penyelaras, bekerjasama dengan pihak berkuasa berkaitan bagi memastikan pelaksanaan yang lancar, pematuhan peraturan serta keselamatan awam.
Perancangan menyeluruh telah disediakan termasuk pengurusan trafik, langkah kawalan orang ramai, protokol keselamatan dan penyelarasan dengan agensi penguatkuasaan bagi memastikan persekitaran yang selamat, teratur dan terkawal untuk semua pengunjung. Kementerian kekal komited untuk mengimbangi keutamaan ekonomi dengan pelaksanaan yang bertanggungjawab. Ketika Malaysia mengharungi landskap global yang kompleks, fokus kekal jelas untuk mengekalkan pertumbuhan, mengukuhkan keyakinan dan memastikan Malaysia kekal berdaya saing, stabil serta berpandangan ke hadapan. Sekali lagi, Malaysia terus mengalu-alukan pelawat dari seluruh dunia.
