Bella Astillah, Syed Saddiq delight fans with traditional dance
PETALING JAYA: Local celebrity Bella Astillah and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman wowed social media with their captivating rendition of traditional ethnic dances to celebrate the harvest festivals of Sabah and Sarawak.
Bella, whose full name is Dayang Ara Nabella Awang Astillah, posted the TikTok video of her and Syed Saddiq performing while dressed in traditional costumes, complete with headgear and accessories.
'My first dance with YB (Syed Saddiq) was not perfect, but it was perfectly fun.
'I am grateful for your courage and willingness to try something new. That's what made it special,' she wrote in the post.
She also wished everyone a meaningful and happy Kaamatan Festival and Gawai Day celebration.
While many social media users commended them for their efforts, some teased Syed Saddiq for his dance moves, and some also advised him not to quit his day job as a politician.
Online portal Majoriti also quoted Syed Saddiq as labelling himself a 'robot' for his dance moves.
'From day to night, we had many retakes as I was awkward/robotic. Luckily, I had Bella by my side to make things less awkward.
'I don't know whether to laugh or cry when I rewatch the video, but it's okay, I will just focus on parliamentary work,' he said.
Sabahans celebrated the Kaamatan Festival on May 30 and 31, while Sarawakians observe Gawai Day on June 1 and 2.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
Feature: Kidults' emotional cravings, not just toys, drive POP MART's popularity
by Xinhua writer Zheng Bofei LONDON, June 1 (Xinhua) -- A crowd of collectors and POP MART fans gathers outside the brand's brightly lit flagship store on Oxford Street, eager to explore its signature blind-box toys, like Skullpanda, Dimoo, and the iconic Labubu, known for its fluffy body and toothy grin. Some had traveled from as far as Southeast Asia and mainland Europe, not just to shop, but to trade art toys, connect with fellow fans, and capture the perfect unboxing moment for TikTok. Once a niche brand in China, POP MART is now one of the fastest-growing cultural phenomena in Europe. Founded in Beijing in 2010, POP MART rose to fame through its original character designs and collaborations with emerging artists. Its IP-driven collectibles, especially the mischievous yet charming Labubu, resonate deeply with fans seeking more than just aesthetic appeal -- they crave emotion, surprise, and connection. "They were never meant to be a money-making madness in a resale market, but a moment in time for adults to become childlike and silly again. Every human deserves to feel that," said Amy-Lee Cowey-Small, a long-time marketing veteran. This emotional pull sets POP MART apart from traditional toy makers. It doesn't merely sell figures -- it sells feelings, rituals, and shared experiences. Central to its appeal is blind-box culture, where buyers don't know which toy they've purchased until they open the box. This "ritualized uncertainty" has resonated strongly with Gen Z and millennial consumers in Europe. On TikTok and Instagram, influencers regularly post unboxing videos, turning these toys into cultural symbols of identity and self-expression. POP MART's design philosophy blends Asian aesthetics with Western art influences, creating figures that feel both familiar and refreshingly new. This multicultural style has drawn attention from celebrities like Madonna Louise Ciccone and British TV personality Olivia Attwood, further embedding POP MART in Europe's creative mainstream. Since opening its first UK store in Soho in 2022, POP MART has rapidly expanded across the country, with stores now in Oxford Street, Manchester, Westfield Stratford, Cambridge, and Birmingham. By the end of 2025, it expects to operate 17 standalone stores in Britain, not including its rapidly growing network of roboshops. According to the company's European retail head, over 90 percent of its customer base in Britain now consists of local Britons and Europeans. "This is no longer a niche brand for the Asian diaspora," said Scarlett Zhao, POP MART's head of marketing, Europe. "We've gone mainstream." As demand continues to rise, Zhao rejected claims that the company is deliberately limiting supply to create hype. "We're often asked whether the limited availability of our plush toys is intentional, but the answer is no -- we do not engage in scarcity marketing. Our production is guided by long-term demand forecasting and brand planning rhythms to provide consumers with high-quality and consistent product experiences," Zhao said. "Plush toys require intricate craftsmanship and a strong attention to detail, which naturally calls for careful planning and production time. We prioritize craftsmanship and customer experience -- not scarcity as a marketing tactic," Zhao added. POP MART is now developing an online lottery system to reduce onsite congestion and deter scalper activity in Britain and France. POP MART isn't alone in riding the wave of China's collectible boom. Brands like TOPTOY launched by MINISO are also expanding across Asia and the Middle East, though TOPTOY focuses on licensed IPs like Disney and Naruto, rather than original characters. As Chinese collectible brands grow in prominence, their appeal is beginning to win over prestigious Western retailers. Zhao said luxury venues like Harrods were initially reluctant to take a chance on an unfamiliar Chinese brand. But that changed quickly. "As our IPs gained international visibility and our customer base expanded across Europe, conversations with prestigious partners naturally evolved into long-term collaborations," said Zhao. "Today, we're proud to be part of a new wave of cultural brands that Harrods and other top-tier retailers are embracing," she added. For consumers like Ma and Serena, both in their twenties, POP MART has become a lifestyle. "Once I got one, I got obsessed," said Ma. "And I told my friend Serena to get one too." "I saw an influencer open a blind box on Instagram. I went to the store the next day," said Serena. "That was it. I'm hooked." This growing community of collectors, many of whom kidults, isn't just chasing rare toys -- they're discovering shared joy, nostalgia, and pocket-sized companions through a distinctly modern cultural language.
Borneo Post
19 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Modern elements eroding identity of traditional dressing of Sabah, Sarawak
Sarah Sanapan said that the Dusun Tindal shirt is among the best-selling, especially among Sabahans in the Peninsula, foreign tourists and cultural dancers. – Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (June 1): The combination of black fabric with touches of golden lace and sparkling beads continues to make traditional Sabah and Sarawak attire an admiration among many during the Kaamatan and Gawai Festival. Now, traditional clothing that was once popular only in two states in Borneo is increasingly gaining ground among young people, especially those working in the federal capital. The evidence was clearly visible at the Borneo Native Festival (BNF) at Pasar Seni here last week when many visitors appeared in traditional Sabah and Sarawak clothing, matched with modern styles. However, the increasing variety of modern styles is a little worrying for Sarah Sanapan, 59, a traditional Sabah tailor who strives to maintain the authenticity of each of her designs, especially the Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, and Rungus (KDMR) clothing, so that it does not become lost over time. 'I am afraid that amidst the increasingly rapid stream of modernisation, traditional clothing is starting to lose its touch of authenticity with attempts to modernise it,' she told Bernama when met during the BNF recently. With over 20 years of experience sewing traditional KDMR clothes, the Bisaya woman said that traditional clothing tailors like her should play the role of cultural ambassadors to advise customers to maintain authentic traditional clothing. Sharing the process of sewing traditional clothing, Sarah noted that Sabah's traditional clothing varies according to tribes and regions, but the Sinipak Dusun Tindal shirt from Kota Belud is among the most complicated and time-consuming to complete. 'To complete a set of Dusun Tindal shirts takes five days because it requires precision when sewing the para-para (sleeves), siling (golden lace) and beads and the easiest is the Kadazan Penampang shirt with five suits completed in a day,' she said. However, Sarah said that the Dusun Tindal shirt is among the best-selling, especially among Sabahans in the Peninsula, foreign tourists and cultural dancers. Regarding the price of traditional clothing, she said it is sold between RM300 and RM2,000, depending on the jewellery and needs to be matched with accessories such as necklaces, bracelets and belts called himpogot or tangkong. Also sharing the importance of maintaining the authenticity of traditional clothing is Catherine Eric, a 57-year-old tailor from Sarawak, who first brought a collection from her state to Peninsular Malaysia through BNF. The Iban woman is concerned that incorporating too many modern elements or applications into traditional clothing will dilute the traditional art and meaning inherent in each garment. Catherine also shared that she receives many orders for traditional Bidayuh clothing, however, the sewing process takes time because the lis (golden lace) part needs to be sewn carefully. 'Usually it takes me two to three days to complete a set of Bidayuh clothes, but if there is an urgent request, I will try to at least complete the clothes in a day,' she said. A pair of Bidayuh women's clothes without any ornaments cost between RM250 to RM450 and it could reach RM1,500 if worn complete with ornaments such as a scarf, belt, bracelets and anklets, she said. Regarding BNF, Sarah and Catherine agreed that it is like a cultural bridge that introduces the rich arts and traditions of Sabah and Sarawak to the various ethnic communities in Peninsular Malaysia as well as foreign tourists. The annual festival, the Kaamatan Festival and Gawai Day, are always eagerly awaited by the Borneo community in Peninsular Malaysia.-Bernama
Borneo Post
21 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sabah family in Beijing keeps Kaamatan spirit alive
Elisa, Alexzender and Katama. KOTA KINABALU (June 1): As Malaysians across the globe come together to celebrate the 2025 Kaamatan Festival, one Malaysian family living thousands of kilometres away in China is sending a heartfelt message back home, a tribute to their roots and cultural pride. Elisa Marie Ungkiu Singgon, her husband Alexzender Roy Dusin, and their young son, Katama Jireh Gingging, born in Beijing nearly two years ago, are currently based at the Embassy of Malaysia in Beijing. Despite the distance, the family extended warm Kaamatan greetings to fellow Malaysians, especially their loved ones in Bingkor (Keningau) and Kitapol (Kiulu, Tuaran), Sabah. 'Though we are far from home, the spirit of Kaamatan continues to live in us,' Elisa shared. 'Kaamatan is more than a harvest celebration, it is a time for reflection, gratitude, and staying connected to our heritage. It is how we bridge the gap between where we are and where we come from,' the couple said. Living abroad, they said, has only deepened their appreciation for Sabah's rich cultural traditions and close-knit family ties. The festival reminds them of the enduring importance of ancestral heritage in shaping identity and fostering unity across diverse communities. 'Kaamatan unites us, wherever we are,' added Alexzender. 'We're raising Katama Jireh to know his roots, as a son of Sabah and a Malaysian, even while growing up in a different part of the world,' he said. The couple also emphasized that the values of Kaamatan, gratitude, unity, and shared humanity hold universal meaning, and are worth sharing across cultures and borders. 'Happy Kaamatan Festival 2025, 'Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan' from the three of us here in Beijing. To our dear family in Sabah, we send love and longing across the miles. May peace, joy, and good health be with you always,' they said. This year's Kaamatan carries the inclusive theme 'Kaamatan For All,' celebrated in multiple languages to reflect Malaysia's cultural diversity:
