13/03/2026

LYFE FRIDAY | MAR 13, 2026

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Malaysian Paper

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Elevating M’sian brand T HE Branding Association of Malaysia (BAM) brought together over 400 leading brand owners, founders, Selangor Speaker Lau Weng San (second from left) poses with the grand prize winner of a RM16,999 massage chair.

On-stage celebration by the BAM committee led by Loo (centre).

o BAM outlines vision at annual gala dinner “A strong national tourism brand is built on the strength of its businesses and industries. When Malaysian brands are clear in purpose and consistent in quality, they enhance visitor confidence, strengthen destination appeal and position Malaysia more competitively on the global stage,” said Tiong. In her address, BAM president Datin Winnie Loo outlined BAM’s vision of branding as a nation building tool, extending beyond marketing to empower businesses, nurture entrepreneurial resilience and elevate the “Malaysian brand” internationally. “The past five years were not ordinary years. We navigated uncertainty, reinvention, digital transformation, economic shifts and a rapidly evolving marketplace. But what made the difference was not the cards we held – it was how we chose

C-suite executives and policymakers at BAM “Ace The New Year 2026”, reaffirming its role as Malaysia’s foremost branding platform. More than an annual gathering, the event serves as a convergence of Malaysia’s branding ecosystem, reflecting business confidence, cross-industry collaboration and the collective ambition to strengthen Malaysian brands for sustainable economic growth. The annual gala dinner was graced by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, represented by Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general Samuel Lee. His presence highlighted the vital role of branding in shaping destination appeal, strengthening tourism competitiveness and supporting Malaysia’s broader economic and business landscape, where strong brands contribute directly to national reputation and international market confidence. QUILL City Mall Kuala Lumpur is promoting Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage through its Peranakan inspired festive campaign, as the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry (Motac) expressed support for a cultural programme organised in collaboration with Kakatoo F&B Group, recognising its potential contribution to the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026) tourism calendar. The highlight programme “Most Participants Wearing Kebaya in an Angku Kuih -Making Workshop” gathered 138 women dressed in traditional kebaya , celebrating the beauty and heritage of Peranakan culture while achieving recognition in the Malaysia Book of Records. Held within the mall’s vibrant Peranakan-themed festive decor, the event was part of Quill City Mall’s broader initiative to bring cultural storytelling into its festive

The best dressed ladies each win a RM300 ang pow .

Tan (left) and Tiew give a speech.

Adding celebratory atmosphere, guests stood a chance to win two grand prizes, including RM5,000 in cash and a premium massage chair by Zero worth RM16,999. The evening also featured 10 customised special Chinese New Year fire extinguishers sponsored by Fire Fighter, as well as Best Dressed awards, where 10 elegantly dressed ladies each received a cash prize of RM300. to the

strategic partnerships that will drive our members to win big in the year ahead,” added Tan. Breaking away from conventional gala formats, BAM Ace The New Year 2026 adopts a Retro Hong Kong “God of Gamblers” theme, symbolising the bold thinking, calculated risk-taking and winning mindset required by entrepreneurs and brand leaders navigating today’s competitive business environment. A key highlight of the evening is the launch of the BAM Branding Goal Cards, a deck of 52 expert branding principles designed to guide business leaders throughout the year. The cards reflect BAM’s commitment to practical knowledge-sharing while reinforcing the importance of balanced leadership including wellness, captured in one simple reminder: “Have a good rest.”

to play them,” said Loo. The event was chaired by joint organising chairmen Datuk Seri Dr Vincent Tiew and Dr Jodness Tan, who champions a holistic approach to brand leadership, emphasising that long-term brand success begins with strong values, leadership well-being and purposeful growth. “Sustainable brands are built by leaders who are healthy, focused and values-driven. BAM provides a platform where business performance, personal well-being and social contribution are aligned – ensuring that growth is meaningful and lasting,” said Tiew. “Our goal for this year’s gala is to transcend the traditional dinner. We want to demonstrate that Malaysian brands are the ‘aces’ of our economy. Through this event, we are facilitating the exchange of wealth, wisdom and

The event also offers a high-value platform for networking and media engagement, providing access to top tier business leaders, founders and policy influencers. It reinforces BAM’s ongoing contribution as a connector, educator and advocate, strengthening Malaysia’s branding ecosystem and delivering lasting value to the business community beyond a single annual celebration. Quill City Mall showcases Peranakan heritage through festive campaign

the concept to life through the record-breaking angku kuih workshop, allowing participants to experience a traditional Peranakan delicacy through a hands-on cultural activity. Officiating the event, Motac secretary-general Datuk Shaharuddin Abu Sohot highlighted that heritage-based initiatives such as this play an important role in strengthening Malaysia’s tourism offerings while preserving the nation’s multicultural identity. He noted that experiences inspired by Baba and Nyonya traditions continue to attract strong interest from international visitors seeking authentic cultural encounters. Motac also commended the collaboration between Quill City Mall and Kakatoo F&B Group for creating an engaging community- driven programme that celebrates Malaysia’s cultural heritage.

The event was part of Quill City Mall’s broader initiative to bring cultural storytelling into its festive celebrations.

VM2026, which aims to showcase Malaysia’s diverse cultural identity to local and international visitors. As one of the mall’s Peranakan inspired dining establishments, Kakatoo F&B Group collaborated closely with Quill City Mall to bring

Nyonya community. The immersive decor, combined with cultural activities and culinary experiences, offers visitors a unique opportunity to appreciate the fusion of cultures that defines Peranakan heritage, in line with the spirit of

celebrations. Inspired by the close proximity of Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the mall introduced a Peranakan-themed environment that reflects the colourful traditions, architecture and heritage of the Baba and