
Indonesian showcase Latihan Pestapora Malaysia lights up Bukit Jalil with rhythm, unity, and nostalgia
Conceptualised as a 'latihan' or 'training ground' ahead of Pestapora that is taking place in Jakarta from 5-7th September 2025, this milestone event made history as a collaborative platform bringing together celebrated Malaysian and Indonesian artists.
Featuring over 25 live acts across two grand stages, the festival showcased the rich variety of regional music genres that are fast gaining international recognition.
The Long-Awaited Return – Sheila On 7
The most anticipated moment during the festival was undoubtedly the long-awaited return of Sheila On 7, performing in Malaysia for the first time in over a decade.
The crowd erupted in song and emotion as the legendary band from Yogyakarta delivered a lineup of timeless hits, including "Dan, Melompat Lebih Tinggi, Sephia, Kita, Sahabat Sejati", and more.
The thunderous cheers that accompanied the opening chords of their first song were proof of the unwavering loyalty and love Malaysian fans still hold for the band.
A Star-Studded Festival-Grade Line-Up
Latihan Pestapora Malaysia 2025 brought together an exciting mix of Malaysian and Indonesian acts, cutting across genres like pop, rock, hip-hop, indie, and dangdut — creating one of the most inclusive and diverse music events of the year.
Over 25 performances took place across two main stages, the Main Stage and the other called 'Hingar Bingar' featuring: .Feast, Hindia, Nadin Amizah, Barasuara X Efek Rumah Kaca, Bittersweet, Bunkface, Dolla, Pamungkas, Feel Koplo, Kunto Aji, Salammusik, Sheila on 7, Alvn, Aziz Harun, DJ CZA, Dukes, Elva Suyan, Fahimi, Empty Page, Gaston Pong, Ismail Izzani, Julia Duclos, Killa Driz, Lil J, Naki, Sonaone, and Yonnyboii.
Organisers' Commitment & Vision
According to Rohit Rampal, CEO of Hitman Solutions, the success of this event proves Malaysia is more than capable of hosting large-scale international music festivals: "Bringing Latihan Pestapora to Malaysia is a major milestone. It's not just a production achievement but a cultural success.
"We've successfully brought an international festival IP to Malaysia, giving both local and international fans a chance to experience it on home soil."
He added that although coordinating the needs of over 25 regional and international artists came with its own set of challenges, they were overcome thanks to close teamwork and strong strategic partnerships.
Meanwhile, Kiki Ucup, Festival Director of Pestapora & Co-founder of Boss Creator, described the festival as an important cultural movement: "We've seen how Malaysian fans travel to Jakarta every year for Pestapora.
"Now it's time we bring that 'latihan' experience here, so Malaysians can feel the magic too. This is more than a concert — it's about building community and regional solidarity."
The Uniqueness Of 'Latihan Pestapora Malaysia 2025'
While preserving the original spirit and concept of Jakarta's Pestapora, the Malaysian edition added its own unique touch — a platform for rising and alternative local acts, a curated selection of Malaysian food vendors, interactive activities, and insta-worthy zones designed for audiences of all ages.
Latihan Pestapora Malaysia -- Future Annual Festival In Malaysia
Given the overwhelming turnout and glowing feedback from fans and media, the organisers have expressed strong intentions to make Latihan Pestapora Malaysia an annual event.
"We believe this is just the beginning. With such incredible support, we're excited to scale up and create even more opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration," said Rohit.
"Latihan Pestapora Malaysia 2025 was not just a music festival — it was a cultural movement uniting music, spirit, and identity between two brotherly nations. With thousands of passionate fans in attendance, the event proved Malaysia is ready to become a regional hub for world-class music festivals."
For further inquiries, please contact +6012-2655783 or email concerts@hitman.group.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Jess Lee's folk ballad wins over judges
Compiled by FAZLEENA AZIZ and R. ARAVINTHAN MALAYSIAN singer Jess Lee Kar Wei (pic) continues to make waves in the Chinese reality singing competition Singer, clinching second place in the latest episode, up from third the week before, China Press reported. Lee, 37, made the bold decision to perform Guang Liang, one of the theme songs in the 2021 documentary The Forbidden City. A tragic ballad about the fall of China's Ming Dynasty, the song requires vocal techniques unique to Peking opera. To perfect her rendition of the song, Lee stayed in Changsha city just so she could study Peking opera performers. Lee explained that she chose the song due to her love for folk music. 'They celebrate life and praise its beauty. Folk music is sung with a smile. It's a transmission of both culture and energy.' She said her vocal coach was trained in China and brought traditional Chinese culture to Malaysia. 'She was the one who recommended that I sing Guang Liang.' Lee's gamble paid off as she was given the second highest marks among all the contestants last week. This means Lee will remain on the show for another week where she will compete for a place in the grand finale. > Archaeologists studying the ancient terracotta warriors in China's Shanxi province discovered fingerprints belonging to children on the statues, challenging the long-held belief that only adult males were hired as artisans, Sin Chew Daily reported. The team of researchers documented some 100 fingerprints on the terracotta warriors left inside the mausoleum belonging to Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, more than 2,200 years ago. The archaeologists used information from police fingerprint databases and combined them with skeletal archaeology to infer the gender of a fingerprint with accuracy exceeding 90%. While most of the fingerprints belonged to adult male artisans, three were believed to come from minors around 16 years old. However, experts are debating if the fingerprints were left there deliberately or as a signature by an artisan to indicate that the statue had passed quality control. (The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)


New Straits Times
14 hours ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Ejen Ali a highlight of Malaysia's creative talent at Osaka World Expo
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's beloved animated character, Ejen Ali, continues to make history, having been honoured with the opportunity to represent Malaysia at the prestigious World Expo 2025 currently taking place in Osaka, Japan. Symbolising the aspirations of Malaysian youth in the digital era and the future of technology, Ejen Ali's involvement on this international stage not only brings immense pride to the local animation industry but also showcases the growing global recognition of Malaysia's creative talent. Ejen Ali and Ejen Alicia's presence at the Malaysia Pavilion has proven to be an extraordinary draw. Visitors from various countries have been observed queuing for long periods just for the chance to meet and take photos with these animated heroes. The enthusiastic reception demonstrates the global appeal of this homegrown intellectual property (IP) by Primeworks Studios and Wau Animation. Representing the strength of Malaysia's creative industry, Ejen Ali conveys universal messages rooted in courage, integrity, and loyalty – values that are easily understood and embraced across different cultures. A statement from the creators highlighted that even though many visitors in Osaka were encountering the character for the first time, the dynamic visuals and spirited narrative on display immediately captured their attention. "Among the most heartwarming moments was when a Japanese child returned to the booth after watching a trailer and excitedly declared, 'I want to be like him!' "This moment perfectly illustrates Ejen Ali's subtle yet effective ability to convey Malaysian aspirations, inspiration, and identity," it said. Ejen Ali The Movie 2 director and Chief Content Officer of Wau Animation, Usamah Zaid Yasin, also visited the Malaysia Pavilion on July 21 and 22. He also took part in a special sharing session, revealing the creative process behind the development of the Ejen Ali franchise and WAU Animation's vision for producing world-class animated content. The session received an overwhelming response from visitors of diverse backgrounds, including Japanese creative industry professionals who expressed keen interest in learning more about the IP, thereby opening doors for future international collaborations and partnerships. The World Expo 2025, currently running until Oct 13, is expected to welcome over 28 million visitors from across the globe. As a platform that unites international ideas, technology, and cultures, Ejen Ali's participation strengthens Malaysia's position in creative content, digital education, and cultural diplomacy on a global scale.


Hype Malaysia
15 hours ago
- Hype Malaysia
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur Marks 40th Anniversary With High Tea & High Fashion
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur hosted An Afternoon in Style on Saturday, 19th July 2025, a chic afternoon tea and fashion show experience that beautifully combined timeless hospitality with Malaysian creativity. Held at the hotel's Lobby Lounge, the one-day event paid homage to the golden era of Kuala Lumpur's social scene, where weekend fashion shows and elegant high teas were a beloved tradition. This special afternoon reimagined that legacy with a modern flair, warmly received by a lively crowd of invited guests, fashion enthusiasts, and media friends. Guests were treated to a stunning showcase of Carven Ong's Signature Spring/Summer 2025 collection, featuring contemporary linen pieces that blend comfort, elegance, and effortless style. The collection reflected a refreshing, modern aesthetic – perfect for today's lifestyle, yet timeless in appeal. Adding to the afternoon's charm were exclusive designer handbags by Ryan Lee and exquisite jewellery by Grace Teoh, both proudly highlighting local artistry and craftsmanship. To complement the fashion showcase, guests enjoyed a specially curated 40th Anniversary Afternoon Tea, featuring handcrafted delights infused with premium blends from the London Tea Exchange. The elegant tea set included a selection of savoury bites, delicate desserts, and premium teas, all served with the gracious service that defines Shangri-La hospitality. The 40th Anniversary Afternoon Tea Set is available daily at the Lobby Lounge until 15th August 2025, offering more guests the opportunity to savour this refined culinary experience in celebration of the hotel's milestone year. In his welcome remarks, General Manager Daniel Kaeflein shared: 'This year is a very special one for all of us at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur. 'As we celebrate four decades of heartfelt hospitality, we're proud to honour our legacy while creating new memories with our guests.' 'Today's event brings together two things we value deeply, meaningful experiences and the celebration of local artistry. 'We're delighted to share this moment with all of you,' he added. The event also featured an exclusive lucky draw, where guests stood a chance to win exciting prizes including ready-to-wear couture by Carven Ong, luxury stays across Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in Malaysia and memorable dining experiences. An Afternoon in Style was more than a celebration of fashion; it was a heartfelt tribute to four decades of creating cherished memories at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur. For dining reservations and enquiries, contact Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur at +603 2786 2378 or email enquiries at