John Ang
Collector, curator
The collector of Asian heritage artefacts has devoted his life to Malay textiles
Tash Aw
Author
An internationally acclaimed Malaysian writer, Tash Aw is one of the major contemporary literary figures from Southeast Asia
Karina Robles Bahrin
Author
The author stirs up conversations about race and religion in her novel, ‘The Accidental Malay’
Bernard Chauly
Film Director
Award-winning film director Bernard Chauly has worked with some of Malaysia’s biggest names, including Tatler Malaysia’s cover stars Nur Fazura and Bront Palarae
Yangsze Choo
Novelist
A Malaysia-born New York Times best-selling novelist, Yangsze Choo started writing at home while recuperating from an injury
Joe Hasham
Actor, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, The Actors Studio/JHA Productions/klpac
A multi-talented theatre stalwart and steadfast champion of the performing arts, Joe Hasham is also the co-founder of The Actor’s Studio
Hassan Abdul Muthalib
Animator, writer, director
The father of Malaysian animation, Hassan Abdul Muthalib has influenced generations of filmmakers and artists
Liza Ho
Gallerist, curator, The Zhongshan Building
The realty gamechanger converted an old building into one of Kuala Lumpur’s most exciting art hubs
Nadira Ilana
Filmmaker, Telan Bulan Films
A rising young Malaysian filmmaker, Nadira Ilana and her Telan Bulan Films company give voice and representation to people rarely seen and heard
Tengku Ahmad Irfan
Pianist, composer and conductor
The young maestro is acknowledged for his gifts in playing the piano, composing and conducting
Izan Satrina Mohd Sallehuddin
Founder and CEO, Cendana
An advocate of the arts who spearheaded the development of cultural economy in Malaysia
Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina
Actress, Producer, Director, Enfiniti (M) Sdn Bhd
Multitalented Tiara Jacquelina, head of Enfiniti Academy, has taken local theatre international
Farouk Khan
Art collector and co-founder, AFK Collection
A power couple in the world of art, Farouk Khan and his wife Aliya own the largest private collection of Malaysian contemporary art in the country, documented on the AFK Collection
Eddin Khoo
Director, writer, publisher, and poet, Pusaka and Kala Publishers
The leading custodian of the traditional performing arts in Malaysia and the region, Eddin Khoo is the founder of Pusaka, an organisation devoted to keeping these artforms alive
Jo Kukathas
Actor, Writer, Director, The Instant Café Theatre Company
Jo Kukathas uses the stage to entertain, and raise awareness for serious issues
Ivan Lam
Contemporary artist
A prominent artist charting new territory in contemporary art, Ivan Lam is still pushing boundaries after two decades in the industry
Beatrice Leong
Filmmaker and activist
The activist has made it her mission to create a better world for the female autistic community
Lim Wei-Ling
Director, Wei-Ling Gallery and Wei-Ling Contemporary
Lim Wei-Ling is one of the few names synonymous with the art scene in Malaysia
Annice Lyn
Photographer & Co-founder, Women Photographers Malaysia
For showing the world through her lens
Visithra Manikam
NFT artist
Visithra Manikam overcame discrimination to emerge as one of Malaysia’s top NFT artists
Datuk Faridah Merican
Actor, director, producer, The Actors Studio and klpac
Faridah Merican, theatre doyenne and co-head of The Actors Studio, has dedicated her life to advancing the performing arts in Malaysia
Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid
Cartoonist, Kampung Boy Sdn Bhd
Beloved award-winning Malaysian cartoonist Mohammad Nor Khalid or Lat has elevated the country’s reputation in the cartoon industry
Nadirah Zakariya
Photographer and Co-founder, Exposure + Photo
Nadirah Zakariya is known within and beyond Asia for her meaningful and captivating photographs
Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza
Singer-songwriter and entrepreneur, SimplySiti
An iconic multi-hyphenate with an illustrious career in the entertainment sphere worldwide, Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza is listed as one of Malaysia’s richest, most influential artistes
Datuk Ramli Ibrahim
Modern & Indian classical dancer, artistic director, Sutra Dance Theatre
Legendary dancer and choreographer Ramli Ibrahim, founder of Sutra Dance Theatre, has put Indian classical dance and Malaysia on the international stage
Fahmi Reza
Graphic designer, artist
Fahmi Reza is a non-partisan graphic designer, street artist and political activist
Saleh Sepas
Founder, Parastoo Theatre
Saleh Sepas’s Parastoo Theatre has become a symbol of hope for his fellow Afghan refugees
Joe Sidek
Managing director, Joe Sidek Productions
Joe Sidek Productions’ head honcho is the visionary director behind one of the biggest festivals in the region’s arts and culture calendar
Tan Twan Eng
Novelist
An award-winning Malaysian writer, Tan Twan Eng is one of the few authors elevating the country’s literary scene
