Playback & Preview: Heritage, Hats & Highways

ANN MARIE CHANDY | 2 September 2025

From graceful moves to high-energy beats, the ASK Dance Company’s cultural dance medley, ‘One Malaysia’ set the perfect tone for the launch ceremony of CASB 2025 that
coincides with the month-long celebration of the National Day and Malaysia Day. – Photo: Maybank Foundation

AUGUST has seen the city come alive with programmes that celebrate Malaysia’s cultural richness in diverse ways. At Menara Maybank, the Cultural Art Showcase & Bazaar (CASB) has transformed the concourse into a stage for traditional performance and artisanal craft. At Bursa Malaysia, Lam Ching Fu’s exhibition My Journey by Bus retraces the soul of the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia through stories, tickets and photographs. And at UR-MU, the new UR-MU Mini series kicked off with storytelling and hat-making for children, reminding us that the love of art and culture begins young. Together, these initiatives highlight how heritage and creativity continue to find fresh expressions in the heart of the city.

Where Heritage Finds Its Voice
The Cultural Art Showcase & Bazaar (CASB) made its return this August at Menara Maybank, transforming the Balai Seni and Main Concourse into a hub of heritage, craft and community. Running from Aug 18 to Sept 19, the month-long programme has brought together artisans, cultural groups and culinary talents in celebration of Malaysia’s diverse traditions – timed perfectly with National Day and Malaysia Day.

The series opened on Aug 18 with the Hua Ying Wushu & Tai Chi Academy, Chinna Rasa Urumee Melum Masana Kali, and ASK Dance Company. Highlights through the month included Tropa de Santa Maria and Bhai Mardana Sangeet Academy, while the Pertandingan Pidato Piala Maybank drew crowds alongside spirited performances from MayStripes, Lee Rubber Chinese Orchestra KL and Arjunasukma.

Honouring the hands that keep tradition alive, a total of 29 artisans are recognised for their dedication to
preserving art and heritage, seen here at the Maybank Foundation Cultural Art Showcase and Bazaar (CASB) 2025
Artisan Appreciation and Launch Ceremony in early August.

September promises more: on Sept 3, catch the BaiZam Generation and Kuda Kepang Seri Budaya, followed by Kicau-Bilau and Aswara on Sept 10. Beyond the stage, artisanal booths – from Maybank Women Eco-Weavers to Gerai Orang Asal – offer everything from handwoven textiles to indigenous crafts, while F&B stalls like Mak Teh Nasi Dagang, Picha Eats, and Punjab Royal PaniPuri serve local flavours.

Step into a world of craftsmanship. Explore artisanal booths and hands-on workshops that bring heritage
to life. From left: Izlyn Ramli (Head of Corporate Affairs and CEO of Maybank Foundation) and Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa (Chairman of Maybank and Maybank Foundation), seen here with Rosemarie Wong, director of The Ranee of Sarawak, viewing handcrafted creations by a lineup of artisans for CASB 2025.

“CASB is a platform for cultural empowerment and a catalyst for meaningful impact,” says Izlyn Ramli, Head Group Corporate Affairs Maybank and CEO Maybank Foundation. “Through this initiative, we’re not only celebrating the beauty of our heritage, but also investing in the people who keep it alive – our artisans and cultural communities.”

CASB 2025 runs weekdays, 9am–5pm (closed weekends and public holidays) at Balai Seni Maybank and Main Concourse, Menara Maybank, Jalan Tun Perak, KL. Be sure to make time for it!

Check out its full schedule here: CASB 2025 Programme Details

Stories Between the Stops
Part of Bursa Malaysia’s ongoing Merdeka Series, My Journey by Bus offers visitors a window into Malaysia’s east coast – seen from the seat of a bus. Artist and public transport advocate Lam Ching Fu retraces his travels through Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, weaving together photographs, bus tickets and personal stories that capture the quiet beauty of towns often left off the tourist trail.

The exhibition, now showing at the Knowledge Centre, Bursa Malaysia, invites you to slow down and see Malaysia differently: one bus stop at a time. Each fragment – whether a faded ticket or a fleeting image – becomes part of a larger mosaic of connection, memory and discovery.

“This exhibition features a blend of both photographs and stories from my second book,” Lam explained. “I wanted to add something more interactive as well so I prepared special stamps with bus and ticket designs so visitors could stamp them onto a complimentary postcard. Alongside that, I have displayed old bus tickets and am showcasing the fascinating process of match-making at the Kelantan Match Factory.”

Reactions, he said, have been heartening. “Some visitors are drawn in by the bus journeys themselves, while others recognise stories from my first book. What has touched me most are the visitors who left their hometowns decades ago. They often stop in front of the panels quietly reconnecting with old memories – proudly pointing out their hometowns or planning trips with colleagues, friends, or family.”

Lam sees travel as a bridge that brings people closer together. “We often say that food unites us as Malaysians, but I believe travel has the same power. Each journey sparks conversations and connections.”

My Journey by Bus runs until Sept 30, Monday to Friday, 9.15am–5pm, at the Knowledge Centre, Bursa Malaysia, Bukit Kewangan, Kuala Lumpur.

Little Hands, Big Imaginations
In August, UR-MU (the Urban Museum) turned its gaze towards the young and curious with the launch of UR-MU Mini, a new series of family-focused programmes designed to nurture creativity in children.

The first in the series, a Storytelling and Hat Crafting Workshop, took place on Aug 23 at UR-MU @ The Toffee, Level 5, Jalan Raja Chulan. A bunch of children turned up for an intimate and interactive experience, featuring a live reading by illustrator Debbie Tan of The Sparkly Wawa Suit by Eugene Foo, followed by a Merdeka-themed hat crafting activity.

“UR-MU Mini is about connecting the museum with the hearts and minds of our young generation,” said a spokesperson. “By sparking creativity and cultural appreciation in children, we ensure the legacy of art and culture continues to thrive.”

Known as a one-of-a-kind private contemporary art museum, UR-MU has built its reputation on showcasing regional works that reflect the identity of the city, nation and region. With UR-MU Mini, the museum takes its first step towards engaging younger audiences while offering parents a chance to enjoy the galleries at the same time. Follow UR-MU on Instagram for updates on upcoming workshops.

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