KUCHING — The Borneo International Consumer Expo (BICE) once again attracted strong attention as it successfully highlighted local creativity and entrepreneurship through its four-day exhibition and talent competition. The annual event, which carries the slogan “Make the Beauty of Borneo Internationally Renowned Through Exhibitions”, has grown into a significant platform that introduces the uniqueness of Borneo to the international community.
The expo gathered participants from various countries and featured a wide range of international products, strengthening Borneo’s position as a rising exhibition and trade destination in the region. BICE Organising Chairman, Dr. Wynson Ong, said the event not only benefits entrepreneurs but also provides opportunities for local talents to present their abilities to a broader audience.
One of the most talked-about programmes during the expo was Borneo’s Star Talent competition. The competition attracted 130 participants from across Borneo, demonstrating the region’s strong pool of artistic and cultural talent. From this number, 36 participants advanced to the Semi-Finals held on 30 January, before the best 20 performers moved forward to the Final round on 31 January.
To honour their achievements, all semi-finalists were recorded in The Book of Borneo Talent. The publication serves as a special initiative to document and promote talented individuals from the region, allowing them to gain greater exposure in the future.
The competition featured a diverse range of performances including singing, traditional dance, modern dance and group presentations. The performances displayed the cultural richness and creative spirit of Borneo’s communities. Organisers described the event as successful in achieving its main goal of offering a higher-level platform for young talents to develop their skills and gain recognition.
In the final results, Duo Tangon from Sabah emerged as champion in the solo category. The group category title was secured by Parhakow, also representing Sabah. Nursyarmimi Izzati from Kuching, Sarawak claimed second place in the solo category with an impressive Bollywood dance performance, while Marshmallow from Miri, Sarawak secured second place in the group category. Third place in the solo category went to Rylette Bewsher from Sabah, while KinATe’Sprouts from Kuching earned third place in the group category.
The competition also introduced several special recognition awards. Gasara Tari received the Sarawak Culture Star Award, Tetarigas won the Sabah Culture Star Award, and Fiza Kamila secured the Indonesia Star Culture Award. These awards were presented to participants who successfully highlighted cultural elements in creative and authentic ways.
The programme received strong support from the Sarawak Arts Council, the Sarawak National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), and Tourism Malaysia. The collaboration is also part of ongoing efforts to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 and strengthen cultural tourism in the region.
Dr. Wynson expressed hope that BICE and Borneo’s Star Talent would continue to grow as annual events and help produce more talented individuals and entrepreneurs capable of competing internationally. He also stressed the importance of preserving cultural identity while embracing global opportunities.
