20/05/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | MAY 20, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

Speed dating: Modern-day love

Ű BY YASMIN ZULRAEZ

M AY 20, better known as 520, has become a symbolic day of love, thanks to its Mandarin pronunciation “wu er ling” which sounds similar to “I love you” (“wo ai ni”). In the spirit of romance and connection, theSun takes a closer look at how Malaysians are ditching dating apps and embracing real-life sparks through speed dating, with two very different events lighting the way. KL Speed Dating At 42, founder Tengku Nor Azah Tengku Mahmood is no stranger to the art of meaningful conversation and she is on a mission to bring that back to dating. Her platform, KL Speed Dating, caters to busy professionals aged 30 and above who are tired of dating apps, ghosting and time-wasting chats with people who just are not serious. “There are so many amazing single professionals out there, but they simply do not have the time or patience to scroll and swipe endlessly. We wanted to offer something intentional, respectful and rooted in real connection,” said Nor Azah. KL Speed Dating’s format is structured yet relaxed. The evening starts with a curated dinner in a private, cosy venue, often in halal-certified restaurants or Muslim-friendly spaces, followed by short one on-one rotations. Participants stay seated while the men rotate and everyone fills out a Match Card to indicate interest. If both say yes, contact info is shared the next day. Though open to everyone regardless of background, the event design is culturally sensitive. “We learnt early on that interfaith dating is a challenge for some, so we make it clear in our registration process. Muslim and non-Muslim participants are welcomed at the same event, but we are very mindful with venue choices, menu selection and etiquette,” Nor Azah explained. The crowd is kept small, just 12 participants, to ensure each interaction feels personal. There are no apps, no speed-talking games and definitely, no forced mingling. Just dinner, conversation and the chance to meet someone you would never run into at work or online. “We have had people tell us it is the most professional and organised dating event they have ever been to. Some even show up an hour early. That tells me we are doing something right,” said Nor Azah. Among the attendees was theSun ’s own John, who joined the evening as a curious participant. “It was refreshing. Structured but warm. Everyone showed up with the right intentions and that made all the difference,” he shared after the event. Matchbox KL Meanwhile, over at a bar in Kuala Lumpur, the lights were dim, the

o Local events redefining how Malaysians find potential romance

KL Speed Dating is for busy professionals aged 30 and above who are tired of dating apps, ghosting and time-wasting chats with people who just are not serious.

KL Speed Dating events are open to everyone, but are culturally-sensitive to cater to Muslim participants.

music was bumping and theSun’s Veronica found herself midway through a round of Human Bingo, trying to track down someone doing something suspiciously specific. This was Matchbox KL’s signature style: Fast-paced, fun and undeniably social. Co-founded by 28-year-old Emily Chen and 29-year-old Joy Yuen, Matchbox KL began as a fun side project between two friends-turned-family. “We saw how hard it was to meet people meaningfully, without the pressure of apps. So, we threw an event just for fun and it clicked,” said Chen, a management consultant. Yuen, who works in product analytics and coaches tennis part-time, added: “We wanted to create something light-hearted but intentional. Games such as Human Bingo help break the ice and add just the right amount of competitiveness.” Matchbox KL’s events typically start with mingling over drinks, then ease into structured social games, with the occasional DJ set in the background to keep the energy up. Attendees fill out a pre-event survey for better matchmaking and a facilitator ensures everyone gets a chance to connect. “It is not just about romance. Some people walk away with confidence, new friends or just the feeling that they put

KL Speed Dating founder Nor Azah wants to revive the art of conversation in dating. – PICS FROM KL SPEED DATING

themselves out there and that is huge,” said Yuen. Veronica, in between marking off bingo squares and making conversation with strangers, observed: “It did not feel like a dating event. It felt like a fun night out but with purpose.” More heart, less swipe KL Speed Dating and Matchbox KL may serve different vibes, one favouring quiet, curated dinners and the other leaning into games and DJs, but both were built with the same frustration in mind – dating apps just are not cutting it anymore. “We are not reinventing the

wheel. But we are reminding people that connection starts with presence, not profiles,” said Nor Azah. Chen added: “At the end of the day, people are just looking for an excuse to talk to someone new. If we can give them that, in a way that feels safe, exciting and low-pressure, then we are doing our job.” Neither platform promises fireworks, soulmates or instant matches. But what they do offer is rare in today’s dating scene: The chance to be seen, heard and maybe even pleasantly surprised. If anything, it is a fun night out meeting new people.

Matchbox KL’s signature style is fast-paced, fun and undeniably social.

Matchbox KL’s aim is to create something light-hearted but intentional. – PICS FROM MATCHBOX KL

Yuen (left) co-founded Matchbox KL with Chen