
Sabahan singer, actress featured on New York's Times Square billboard
Published on: Tue, Apr 22, 2025
By: Esther Glorie Leow Text Size: The billboard in New York. Kota Kinabalu: Marsha Milan, a singer and actress, has become the first Sabahan to be featured on the iconic digital billboard in Times Square, New York. Her appearance was part of Spotify's Equal campaign, which spotlights women artists from around the globe. Marsha's image lit up one of the world's busiest intersections, marking a significant milestone not only in her career but also for Sabah's representation in the global music scene. 'It's surreal. To see a Sabahan name and face in Times Square feels bigger than me — it represents a whole community, a culture, and a dream I've carried with me for years. I'm deeply touched and honoured,' she told Daily Express on Monday. Marsha, known for her powerhouse vocals and emotional performances, recently won hearts and headlines by clinching the top spot at Anugerah Juara Lagu 39 (AJL39) with her song 'Hening Rindu'. Subscribe or LOG IN to access this article.
Support Independant Journalism
Subscribe to Daily Express Malaysia Access to DE E-Paper
Access to DE E-Paper Exclusive News
Exclusive News Invites to special events
Invites to special events Giveaways & Rewards
1-Year Most Popular
(Income Tax Deductible) Explore Plans
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags

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


Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
Influencer apologises for filming during national anthem
Published on: Monday, August 11, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 11, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: PETALING JAYA: A Malaysian Chinese social media 'influencer' has apologised for taking out his phone to record a video as the national anthem was being played at an event. Choo Hao Ren ( pic ) acknowledged that his actions, caught on video in a clip that went viral, were inappropriate and that he should have sung the national anthem solemnly and with respect. Advertisement In a statement on his social media pages, Choo said he was deeply sorry for his actions and promised to act more appropriately in such settings. Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh however called for punitive action against Choo for disrespecting the national anthem and the country. 'This is not a question of race or political party, but about how it's the responsibility of all Malaysians to respect this country. That's why we want such people to be punished severely,' he said in a Facebook post. 'It's not that we want to play up the issue, but the issue of respecting the country is more important,' the Melaka executive councillor added. Advertisement In 2021, Choo also courted controversy after posting a video for a skin whitening product which featured a female social media influencer in brownface. He apologised for the clip and took it down after receiving a backlash online. - FMT * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
11 hours ago
- Daily Express
Preserving the Bajausama heritage
Published on: Monday, August 11, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 11, 2025 Text Size: Some of the finalists for the Ratu Serimpak competition. Tuaran: The 2025 Sabah Bajau Sama Cultural Festival serves as a vital platform to unite Bajau Sama associations across the State while elevating the art, culture and traditions of this ethnic community. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said this year's festival holds special significance as it marks the first collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac). Advertisement He said this at the Bertitik Competition Finals held at the Dewan Terbuka Pusat Kebudayaan Persatuan Rumpun Bajau Sama, here, Saturday. Since its establishment in 2012, the 13-year-old association has expanded to 19 branches statewide. The annual festival brings together association leaders to gather in Tuaran, particularly at the community's cultural centre. 'This festival serves as an important platform to strengthen the identity of the Bajau Sama community in Sabah, bringing together generations, including children as young as 10 who participate in the traditional dance competitions,' Armizan said. He said the Bajau Sama arts and culture represent Sabah's unique strengths that could attract tourists and stimulate the local economy. Advertisement The festival's economic potential through cultural tourism could draw more visitors to Sabah, especially to Tuaran and the cultural centre, particularly during next year's Visit Malaysia campaign. Armizan expressed hope that the festival would be included in Motac's official calendar to ensure continuous annual support. He also suggested modernising and commercialising traditional clothing motifs, similar to Sarawak's batik, for wider use, including official Thursday wear for civil servants. He urged association members and younger generations to continue preserving their cultural heritage to prevent it from being lost to time. The four-day festival features various art competitions, cultural performances and exhibitions of traditional Bajau Sama food and clothing. Also present were Persatuan Rumpun Bajau Sama Sabah Vice President Datuk Japlin Akim and Secretary General Datuk Kassim Razali, who also chairs the festival's organising committee. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
11 hours ago
- Daily Express
Sherlyana is Ratu Serimpak
Published on: Monday, August 11, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 11, 2025 Text Size: Tuaran: Ratu Serimpak Teghilan finalist Sherlyana Yuzairin Abdul Halim (middle) emerged champion of the Cita Rasa Warisan Ratu Serimpak competition with her traditional Ikan Ampap dish, beating 19 other contestants. She took home RM1,000, while runner-up Amirah Zarifah Azman of Kuala Penyu won RM800, and third place went to Nurul Izzati Fitri Alias from Tamparuli with RM600. Advertisement The colourful event saw participants dressed in traditional attire showcasing their cooking skills, with the aroma of dishes filling the venue as local singer Ayu Damit performed throughout. Dishes were judged on presentation, taste, creativity and decoration by senior lecturers Dr Adilah Md Ramli of Universiti Malaysia Sabah and Dr Mohammad Halim Jeinie of Universiti Teknologi MARA Sabah. The contest, offering RM2,400 in total prizes, also aimed to promote Malaysia's intangible cultural heritage through traditional food while strengthening unity and cultural awareness. The three-day programme also featured cooking demonstrations and sales of Sabah heritage dishes such as Ambuyat, Busou, Nasi Linopot, Sambal Tuhau, Sagun Borneo, Kuih Penaram and Unesco-recognised Malaysian breakfast culture items like teh tarik and roti canai. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia