Playback & Preview: Heritage, Hats & Highways - On the Radar

Playback & Preview: Heritage, Hats & Highways
ANN MARIE CHANDY | 2 September 2025

From graceful moves to high-energy beats, the ASK Dance Company’s cultural dance medley, ‘One Malaysia’ set the perfect tone for the launch ceremony of CASB 2025 that
coincides with the month-long celebration of the National Day and Malaysia Day. – Photo: Maybank Foundation
AUGUST has seen the city come alive with programmes that celebrate Malaysia’s cultural richness in diverse ways. At Menara Maybank, the Cultural Art Showcase & Bazaar (CASB) has transformed the concourse into a stage for traditional performance and artisanal craft. At Bursa Malaysia, Lam Ching Fu’s exhibition My Journey by Bus retraces the soul of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia through stories, tickets and photographs. And at UR-MU, the new UR-MU Mini series kicked off with storytelling and hat-making for children, reminding us that the love of art and culture begins young. Together, these initiatives highlight how heritage and creativity continue to find fresh expressions in the heart of the city.

Where Heritage Finds Its Voice
The Cultural Art Showcase & Bazaar (CASB) made its return this August at Menara Maybank, transforming the Balai Seni and Main Concourse into a hub of heritage, craft and community. Running from Aug 18 to Sept 19, the month-long programme has brought together artisans, cultural groups and culinary talents in celebration of Malaysia’s diverse traditions – timed perfectly with National Day and Malaysia Day.

The series opened on Aug 18 with the Hua Ying Wushu & Tai Chi Academy, Chinna Rasa Urumee Melum Masana Kali, and ASK Dance Company. Highlights through the month included Tropa de Santa Maria and Bhai Mardana Sangeet Academy, while the Pertandingan Pidato Piala Maybank drew crowds alongside spirited performances from MayStripes, Lee Rubber Chinese Orchestra KL and Arjunasukma.
Honouring the hands that keep tradition alive, a total of 29 artisans are recognised for their dedication to
preserving art and heritage, seen here at the Maybank Foundation Cultural Art Showcase and Bazaar (CASB) 2025
Artisan Appreciation and Launch Ceremony in early August.
September promises more: on Sept 3, catch the BaiZam Generation and Kuda Kepang Seri Budaya, followed by Kicau-Bilau and Aswara on Sept 10. Beyond the stage, artisanal booths – from Maybank Women Eco-Weavers to Gerai Orang Asal – offer everything from handwoven textiles to indigenous crafts, while F&B stalls like Mak Teh Nasi Dagang, Picha Eats, and Punjab Royal PaniPuri serve local flavours.
Step into a world of craftsmanship. Explore artisanal booths and hands-on workshops that bring heritage
to life. From left: Izlyn Ramli (Head of Corporate Affairs and CEO of Maybank Foundation) and Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa (Chairman of Maybank and Maybank Foundation), seen here with Rosemarie Wong, director of The Ranee of Sarawak, viewing handcrafted creations by a lineup of artisans for CASB 2025.
“CASB is a platform for cultural empowerment and a catalyst for meaningful impact,” says Izlyn Ramli, Head Group Corporate Affairs Maybank and CEO Maybank Foundation. “Through this initiative, we’re not only celebrating the beauty of our heritage, but also investing in the people who keep it alive – our artisans and cultural communities.”

CASB 2025 runs weekdays, 9am–5pm (closed weekends and public holidays) at Balai Seni Maybank and Main Concourse, Menara Maybank, Jalan Tun Perak, KL. Be sure to make time for it!

Check out its full schedule here: CASB 2025 Programme Details

Stories Between the Stops
Part of Bursa Malaysia’s ongoing Merdeka Series, My Journey by Bus offers visitors a window into Malaysia’s east coast – seen from the seat of a bus. Artist and public transport advocate Lam Ching Fu retraces his travels through Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, weaving together photographs, bus tickets and personal stories that capture the quiet beauty of towns often left off the tourist trail.

The exhibition, now showing at the Knowledge Centre, Bursa Malaysia, invites you to slow down and see Malaysia differently: one bus stop at a time. Each fragment – whether a faded ticket or a fleeting image – becomes part of a larger mosaic of connection, memory and discovery.

“This exhibition features a blend of both photographs and stories from my second book,” Lam explained. “I wanted to add something more interactive as well so I prepared special stamps with bus and ticket designs so visitors could stamp them onto a complimentary postcard. Alongside that, I have displayed old bus tickets and am showcasing the fascinating process of match-making at the Kelantan Match Factory.”
Reactions, he said, have been heartening. “Some visitors are drawn in by the bus journeys themselves, while others recognise stories from my first book. What has touched me most are the visitors who left their hometowns decades ago. They often stop in front of the panels quietly reconnecting with old memories – proudly pointing out their hometowns or planning trips with colleagues, friends, or family.”

Lam sees travel as a bridge that brings people closer together. “We often say that food unites us as Malaysians, but I believe travel has the same power. Each journey sparks conversations and connections.”
My Journey by Bus runs until Sept 30, Monday to Friday, 9.15am–5pm, at the Knowledge Centre, Bursa Malaysia, Bukit Kewangan, Kuala Lumpur.

Little Hands, Big Imaginations
In August, UR-MU (the Urban Museum) turned its gaze towards the young and curious with the launch of UR-MU Mini, a new series of family-focused programmes designed to nurture creativity in children.
The first in the series, a Storytelling and Hat Crafting Workshop, took place on Aug 23 at UR-MU @ The Toffee, Level 5, Jalan Raja Chulan. A bunch of children turned up for an intimate and interactive experience, featuring a live reading by illustrator Debbie Tan of The Sparkly Wawa Suit by Eugene Foo, followed by a Merdeka-themed hat crafting activity.

“UR-MU Mini is about connecting the museum with the hearts and minds of our young generation,” said a spokesperson. “By sparking creativity and cultural appreciation in children, we ensure the legacy of art and culture continues to thrive.”

Known as a one-of-a-kind private contemporary art museum, UR-MU has built its reputation on showcasing regional works that reflect the identity of the city, nation and region. With UR-MU Mini, the museum takes its first step towards engaging younger audiences while offering parents a chance to enjoy the galleries at the same time. Follow UR-MU on Instagram for updates on upcoming workshops.
Playback & Preview: Warisan, Topi & Lebuhraya
ANN MARIE CHANDY | 2 September 2025

Dari gerak tari yang anggun hingga rentak bertenaga, persembahan medley tarian budaya ASK Dance Company, ‘One Malaysia’, membuka tirai Majlis Pelancaran CASB 2025
dengan penuh meriah, bertepatan dengan sambutan Hari Kebangsaan dan Hari Malaysia yang diraikan sepanjang sebulan. – Foto: Maybank Foundation
BULAN Ogos telah menyaksikan kota ini hidup dengan pelbagai program yang meraikan kekayaan budaya Malaysia dalam pelbagai cara. Di Menara Maybank, Cultural Art Showcase & Bazaar (CASB) telah mengubah ruang legar menjadi pentas bagi persembahan tradisional dan hasil kraf tangan. Di Bursa Malaysia, pameran My Journey by Bus oleh Lam Ching Fu menelusuri jiwa pantai timur Semenanjung Malaysia melalui cerita, tiket dan fotografi. Sementara itu di UR-MU, siri baharu UR-MU Mini dimulakan dengan sesi penceritaan dan pembuatan topi untuk kanak-kanak, mengingatkan kita bahawa cinta terhadap seni dan budaya bermula sejak kecil. Kesemua inisiatif ini telah bersama-sama menyerlahkan bagaimana warisan dan kreativiti terus menemui ekspresi baharu di tengah-tengah kota.

Di Sini Warisan Telah Menemui Suaranya
Cultural Art Showcase & Bazaar (CASB) kembali lagi pada bulan Ogos ini di Menara Maybank, mengubah Balai Seni dan Ruang Legar Utama menjadi pusat warisan, kraf dan komuniti. Berlangsung dari Ogos 18 hingga Sept 19, program selama sebulan ini menghimpunkan para artisan, kumpulan kebudayaan dan bakat kulinari untuk meraikan kepelbagaian tradisi Malaysia – bertepatan dengan sambutan Hari Kebangsaan dan Hari Malaysia.
Siri yang bermula pada Ogos 18 dengan persembahan daripada Hua Ying Wushu & Tai Chi Academy, Chinna Rasa Urumee Melum Masana Kali, dan ASK Dance Company. Antara sorotan sepanjang bulan ini termasuk Tropa de Santa Maria dan Bhai Mardana Sangeet Academy, manakala Pertandingan Pidato Piala Maybank menarik perhatian ramai bersama persembahan bertenaga daripada MayStripes, Lee Rubber Chinese Orchestra KL, dan Arjunasukma.
Menghargai tangan yang terus menghidupkan tradisi, seramai 29 artisan diiktiraf atas dedikasi mereka dalam memelihara seni dan warisan, seperti yang kelihatan di Majlis Penghargaan Artisan dan Pelancaran Cultural Art Showcase and Bazaar (CASB) 2025 anjuran Maybank Foundation pada awal Ogos.
Lebih banyak yang menanti di bulan September. Pada Sept 3, saksikan BaiZam Generation dan Kuda Kepang Seri Budaya, diikuti oleh Kicau-Bilau dan ASWARA pada 10 September. Di luar pentas, reruai artisan – daripada Maybank Women Eco-Weavers hingga Gerai Orang Asal – menawarkan pelbagai barangan seperti tekstil tenunan tangan dan kraf masyarakat asli, manakala gerai makanan dan minuman seperti Mak Teh Nasi Dagang, Picha Eats, dan Punjab Royal PaniPuri menyajikan cita rasa tempatan.
Terokai reruai artisan dan bengkel interaktif yang menghidupkan warisan. Dari kiri: Izlyn Ramli (Ketua Hal Ehwal Korporat dan CEO Maybank Foundation) dan Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa (Pengerusi Maybank dan Maybank Foundation), bersama Rosemarie Wong, pengarah The Ranee of Sarawak, meninjau hasil kraf tangan daripada barisan artisan untuk CASB 2025.
“CASB ialah sebuah platform untuk pemerkasaan budaya dan pemangkin kepada impak yang bermakna,” kata Izlyn Ramli, Ketua Hal Ehwal Korporat Kumpulan Maybank dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Maybank Foundation. “Melalui inisiatif ini, kita bukan sahaja meraikan keindahan warisan kita, tetapi juga melabur dalam individu yang menghidupkannya – para artisan dan komuniti budaya kita.”
CASB 2025 berlangsung pada hari bekerja, dari 9 pagi hingga 5 petang (tutup pada hujung minggu dan cuti umum) di Balai Seni Maybank dan Ruang Legar Utama, Menara Maybank, Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur.
Lihat jadual penuh program di sini: Butiran Program CASB 2025
Cerita Di Antara Persinggahan
Sebagai sebahagian daripada Siri Merdeka anjuran Bursa Malaysia, My Journey by Bus menawarkan pengunjung satu jendela pandang ke Pantai Timur Malaysia – dilihat dari tempat duduk sebuah bas. Artis dan aktivis pengangkutan awam, Lam Ching Fu, menelusuri semula perjalanannya merentasi Pahang, Terengganu dan Kelantan, menggabungkan fotografi, tiket bas dan cerita peribadi yang merakam keindahan tenang pekan-pekan kecil yang sering terlepas daripada laluan pelancong.
Pameran yang kini berlangsung di Pusat Ilmu, Bursa Malaysia, mengajak anda untuk memperlahankan langkah dan melihat Malaysia dari sudut yang berbeza – satu hentian bas pada satu masa. Setiap fragmen – sama ada tiket lusuh atau imej yang sekilas – menjadi sebahagian daripada mozek yang lebih besar, berisi kenangan, hubungan dan penemuan.
“Ya, pameran ini menggabungkan foto dan kisah daripada buku kedua saya,” jelas Lam. “Saya juga mahu tambahkan elemen interaktif, jadi saya sediakan cop khas dengan rekaan bas dan tiket, agar pengunjung boleh tekap ke atas poskad percuma. Selain itu, saya pamerkan koleksi tiket bas lama dan juga memaparkan proses menarik pemadanan mancis di Kelantan Match Factory.”
Reaksi pengunjung, katanya, sangat menggalakkan. “Ada yang tertarik dengan perjalanan bas itu sendiri, dan ada juga yang mengenali cerita daripada buku pertama saya. Namun yang paling menyentuh hati ialah mereka yang telah meninggalkan kampung halaman sejak puluhan tahun lalu. Ramai yang berhenti di hadapan panel-panel pameran, diam-diam mengimbas memori lama – dengan bangganya menunjukkan kampung halaman mereka atau merancang perjalanan bersama rakan sekerja, sahabat dan keluarga.”

Bagi Lam, pengembaraan ialah jambatan yang merapatkan hubungan sesama manusia. “Kita sering kata makanan menyatukan rakyat Malaysia, tetapi saya percaya bahawa perjalanan juga punya kuasa yang sama. Setiap kembara mencetuskan perbualan dan jalinan.”
My Journey by Bus berlangsung hingga Sept 30, Isnin hingga Jumaat, 9.15 pagi – 5 petang, di Pusat Ilmu, Bursa Malaysia, Bukit Kewangan, Kuala Lumpur.

Tangan Kecil, Imaginasi Besar
Pada bulan Ogos, UR-MU (Urban Museum) memberi tumpuan kepada golongan muda dan ingin tahu dengan pelancaran UR-MU Mini, satu siri program berfokuskan keluarga yang direka khas untuk memupuk kreativiti dalam kalangan kanak-kanak.
Siri pertama, Bengkel Penceritaan & Pembuatan Topi, telah berlangsung pada Ogos 23 di UR-MU @ The Toffee, Aras 5, Jalan Raja Chulan. Sekumpulan kanak-kanak hadir untuk pengalaman intim dan interaktif yang menampilkan pembacaan secara langsung oleh ilustrator Debbie Tan dari buku The Sparkly Wawa Suit karya Eugene Foo, diikuti dengan aktiviti membuat topi bertemakan Merdeka.
“UR-MU Mini bertujuan menghubungkan muzium dengan hati dan minda generasi muda,” kata jurucakap UR-MU. “Dengan mencetuskan kreativiti dan penghargaan budaya dalam kalangan kanak-kanak, kita memastikan legasi seni dan budaya terus hidup dan berkembang.”
Dikenali sebagai sebuah muzium seni kontemporari persendirian yang unik, UR-MU telah membina reputasinya dengan mempamerkan karya-karya serantau yang mencerminkan identiti kota, negara dan rantau ini. Melalui UR-MU Mini, muzium ini mengambil langkah pertama untuk mendekati audiens muda, sambil memberi peluang kepada ibu bapa untuk menikmati galeri pada masa yang sama. Ikuti UR-MU di Instagram untuk maklumat terkini mengenai bengkel yang akan datang.

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