Catalist Malaysia

Dickson Lim () has made history as the first Malaysian menswear designer to be represented on the Met Gala red carpet. The Kuching born designer achieved this global milestone by dressing Ty Hunter in a custom black suit for fashion’s most prominent evening. This significant moment for Malaysian fashion gained further international visibility when the look was featured alongside Beyoncé () on the front page of The Wall Street Journal.

Originally self taught through experimentation and digital resources rather than traditional fashion school, Lim debuted as the youngest designer at Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week in 2020 at age 19. His label has since become synonymous with architectural tailoring and unconventional construction. By transitioning from local Sarawak roots to the global stage, Lim has established a new precedent for Malaysian menswear design within the international luxury sector.

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Inspace Creation Berhad (.my) is officially transitioning from a private B2B interior fit-out firm to a public company following its listing on the Bursa Malaysia ACE Market on May 8. Founded in 2017 by Wong Chong Siong and Edward Cheong Han Bin, the organization has delivered over 100 projects and secured RM150 million in completed contracts. The move underscores the rapid expansion of the business from its initial full-service interior solutions model to a high-value regional player.

The market response to the initial public offering demonstrated significant investor confidence with the retail tranche oversubscribed by 70.3 times. While only 18.47 million shares were available, the market applied for a total of 1.32 billion shares, marking one of the highest demand levels on the ACE Market for the period. This milestone reflects the strategic growth of Inspace Creation Berhad and a robust demand for small-cap IPOs within the Malaysian commerce sector.

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Celebrating Mother’s Day involves more than traditional tributes; it requires a genuine commitment to providing the practical support and resources mothers need to thrive. Across Malaysia, a dedicated network of brands is redefining this journey by addressing the lived realities of pregnancy, postpartum healing, and early childhood. These organizations focus on delivering high-quality, functional solutions that prioritize the health, comfort, and confidence of both mother and child throughout every stage of parenthood.

The featured selection includes legacy caregivers like Mothercare and Anakku alongside modern innovators such as Mamaway, Shapee, Bmama, and 9Months. Specialized support from Autumnz and Tropical Herbs by Amway addresses breastfeeding and postnatal recovery, while Joey & Mom and Applecrumby provide eco-conscious essentials. With developmental leaders like The Little Gym and Babydust, alongside community platforms like Ibu Family and BondaMil, these brands ensure mothers have access to a robust ecosystem of care.

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The Malaysian live production Mind Games recently achieved a significant milestone, drawing an audience of 3,000 attendees. This achievement marks the largest magic-themed performance in Malaysia in the last 15 years. Led by prominent figures Harith Iskander (), Patrick Kun (), and David Lai (), the 90-minute show successfully integrated elements of stand-up comedy, visual illusions, mentalism, and quick-change artistry. The production has effectively modernized live magic, transforming the genre into a large-scale, full-room entertainment experience that resonates with a broad demographic.

Following its success in Kuala Lumpur, Mind Games is expanding its reach with a scheduled tour across the region. Upcoming performances are set for Singapore on May 10, Penang on June 13, and Melaka on July 11. This nationwide and international expansion highlights the growing demand for high-quality, multidisciplinary live entertainment in Southeast Asia. By combining professional magic with theatrical storytelling, the production continues to set new standards for the industry while showcasing the talent of Malaysian performers on a global stage.

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Oriental Kopi (.asia) has officially secured a Guinness World Records title for the most servings of nasi lemak sold in eight hours. This milestone was achieved at IOI City Mall, Putrajaya, where the brand served a total of 11,446 packs in a single push. The event marks a significant achievement for the local establishment in elevating Malaysian culinary heritage to a global stage.

The record-breaking feat highlights the scale and operational efficiency of Oriental Kopi in promoting Malaysia’s national dish. This initiative serves as a strategic step toward gaining international recognition for traditional flavors and local food culture. By surpassing the 11,000-pack mark, Oriental Kopi demonstrates the enduring popularity of nasi lemak and its potential for global outreach.

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Kanna Curry House () has transitioned from a modest stall in PJ Old Town to a prominent culinary institution in Malaysia. Founded 48 years ago by Usilappan Servai, the brand was built on the foundation of authentic Chettinad recipes and a commitment to daily consistency. This heritage of traditional banana leaf rice has allowed the business to expand to seven outlets across the country through organic word of mouth rather than traditional advertising.

The organization is now managed by its third generation, maintaining the original recipes that defined its early success. While the brand recently achieved viral status online, this digital recognition serves as an extension of a legacy established over decades. By leveraging unfiltered content and authentic storytelling, the current leadership continues to scale the business while honoring the survival and growth of the founder’s initial vision.

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Malaysian brothers Parsa Parhizkar and Rohan Parhizkar have achieved a remarkable milestone by securing four major titles across the technology and athletic sectors within a single twenty-four-hour period. Parsa Parhizkar established himself as the youngest speaker at GITEX Asia in Singapore, where he presented MineDu AI Primary, an artificial intelligence avatar tutor designed for science education. Simultaneously, Rohan Parhizkar received the Gold Medal and Best Innovation Award at the 25th Malaysia Technology Expo in Kuala Lumpur for his contributions to AI innovation.

The duo transitioned from global tech stages to the international competition mats at the ASJJF 2026 in Kuala Lumpur. Demonstrating versatility and discipline, they secured three gold medals and one silver medal across both Gi and No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu categories. This dual-pronged success highlights a unique intersection of academic excellence in Education 5.0 and elite physical performance. Their achievements underscore a commitment to building innovative solutions while maintaining high standards in competitive sports on an international level.

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Malaysia has solidified its position as a regional defense powerhouse by securing RM3.54 billion in defense deals during the 19th Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2026 and National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2026 exhibitions. This substantial investment comprises 12 formal contracts, 4 Letters of Intent valued at RM1.01 billion, and 8 Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP) agreements totaling RM1.40 billion. The record-breaking event saw participation from 1,456 companies representing 63 different countries, underscoring the international significance of the biennial summit.

Beyond the financial scale of these agreements, the initiatives prioritize the long-term growth of the national defense ecosystem through strategic technology transfer and local industry development. By integrating domestic firms into global supply chains, Malaysia is transitioning from mere procurement to comprehensive capability-building. These developments signal a strategic shift toward a more self-reliant and technologically advanced defense infrastructure, ensuring the nation remains a key player in global security and innovation.

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Sugen Gopal () has transitioned from managing his family roadside restaurant in Ipoh to establishing a culinary landmark in the United Kingdom. After arriving in London in 2004 with only £80, Gopal operated various kiosks and stalls independently before launching Roti King in Euston in 2014. The establishment gained significant recognition following a viral review by The Guardian, which transformed the small venue into a celebrated destination for authentic Malaysian cuisine.

The brand has successfully scaled its operations to include over eight outlets across the United Kingdom, producing more than 5,000 rotis daily. This growth demonstrates a strategic commitment to maintaining culinary authenticity while expanding market reach. By prioritizing traditional techniques learned during his youth in Malaysia, Gopal has effectively navigated the transition from a solo operator to the head of a prominent regional restaurant group.

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City University Malaysia (.university.malaysia) has spent 42 years building beyond the classroom.

From a small community college to 40,000+ graduates, the university has grown by staying aligned with the real world, focusing on industry, careers, and practical learning.

Today, it’s ranked across ASEAN and Asia, backed by strong industry partnerships and designed for students who want more than just a degree.

Comment “CITY” and we’ll DM you the WhatsApp link to get started.

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The International Café & Beverage Show (ICBS) has solidified its position as Malaysia’s premier platform for the café industry, attracting over 13,000 attendees and 650 brands. The event serves as a critical regional meeting point, drawing international buyers from 55 countries and facilitating high-intent commercial transactions. Statistical data indicates a strong conversion rate at the show, with 50% of exhibitors closing sales onsite and 91% generating verified business leads.

The upcoming ICBS 2026 at the KL Convention Centre signals a strategic expansion into the tea sector to address the rising demand for premium and ready-to-drink beverages. This evolution reflects Malaysia’s transition from a consumer-driven café culture to a structured industrial ecosystem supported by a robust supply chain in coffee and specialized equipment. The exhibition scheduled for May 2026 underscores Kuala Lumpur’s role in driving innovation and regional growth within the beverage sector.

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