Media OutReach
SMART Launches New Research Centre to Develop World’s First Wearable Ultrasound Imaging System For Real-Time Monitoring of Chronic Conditions
- The Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC) collaborative research project aims to develop the world’s first wearable ultrasound imaging system for continuous, real-time monitoring and personalised diagnosis of chronic conditions such as hypertension and heart failure.
- WITEC is a multi-million dollar, multi-year initiative that brings together top researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore, with Tan Tock Seng Hospital as its clinical collaborator.
- To support the research, WITEC is equipped with advanced tools such as Southeast Asia’s first Nanoscribe Quantum X sub-micrometre 3D printer and the most advanced Verasonics ultrasonic imaging system available in Singapore.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 December 2025 – Imagine a world where ultrasound imaging is no longer confined to hospitals; patients with chronic conditions, such as hypertension and heart failure, could be monitored continuously in real time at home or on the move, giving healthcare practitioners ongoing clinical insights instead of the occasional snapshots – a scan here and a check-up there. This shift from reactive, hospital-based care to preventative, community and home-based care could enable earlier detection and timely intervention, and truly personalised care.
Bringing this vision to reality, the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) research enterprise in Singapore, has launched a new collaborative research project – Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC).
WITEC marks a pioneering effort in wearable technology, medical imaging, research and materials science. It is Singapore’s first centre dedicated to foundational research and development of the world’s first wearable ultrasound imaging system capable of 48-hour intermittent cardiovascular imaging for continuous and real-time monitoring and diagnosis of chronic conditions such as hypertension and heart failure.
This multi-million dollar, multi-year initiative, supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme, brings together top researchers and expertise from MIT, Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) is WITEC’s clinical collaborator and will conduct patient trials to validate long-term heart imaging for chronic cardiovascular disease management.
“Addressing society’s most pressing challenges requires innovative, interdisciplinary thinking. Building on SMART’s long legacy in Singapore as a hub for research and innovation, WITEC will harness interdisciplinary expertise – from MIT and leading institutions in Singapore – to advance transformative research that creates real-world impact and benefits Singapore, the US and societies all over. This is the kind of collaborative research that not only pushes the boundaries of knowledge, but also redefines what is possible for the future of healthcare,” said Bruce Tidor, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Interim), SMART.
Industry-leading precision equipment and capabilities
To support this work, WITEC’s laboratory is equipped with advanced tools, including Southeast Asia’s first Nanoscribe Quantum X sub-micrometre 3D printer and the latest Verasonics Vantage NXT 256 ultrasonic imaging system, which is the first unit of its kind in Singapore.
Unlike conventional 3D printers that operate at millimetre or micrometre scales, WITEC’s 3D printer can achieve sub‑micrometre resolution, allowing components to be fabricated at the level of single cells or tissue structures. With this capability, WITEC researchers can prototype bioadhesive materials and device interfaces with unprecedented accuracy — essential to ensuring skin‑safe adhesion and stable, long‑term imaging quality.
Complementing this is the latest Verasonics ultrasonic imaging system. Equipped with a new transducer adaptor and supporting a significantly larger number of probe control channels than existing systems, it gives researchers the freedom to test highly customised imaging methods. This allows more complex beamforming, higher‑resolution image capture, and integration with AI‑based diagnostic models — opening the door to long‑duration, real‑time cardiovascular imaging not possible with standard hospital equipment.
Together, these technologies allow WITEC to accelerate the design, prototyping and testing of its wearable ultrasound imaging system, and to demonstrate imaging quality on phantoms and healthy subjects.
Transforming chronic disease care through wearable innovation
Chronic diseases are rising rapidly in Singapore and globally, especially among the ageing population and individuals with multiple long-term conditions. This trend highlights the urgent need for effective home-based care and easy-to-use monitoring tools that go beyond basic wellness tracking.
Current consumer wearables, such as smartwatches and fitness bands, offer limited physiological data like heart rate or step count. While useful for general health, they lack the depth needed to support chronic disease management. Traditional ultrasound systems, though clinically powerful, are bulky, operator-dependent, can only be deployed episodically within the hospitals, and are limited to snapshots in time — making them unsuitable for long-term, everyday use.
WITEC aims to bridge this gap with its wearable ultrasound imaging system that uses bioadhesive technology to enable up to 48 hours of uninterrupted imaging. Combined with AI-enhanced diagnostics, the innovation is aimed at supporting early detection, home-based pre-diagnosis and continuous monitoring of chronic diseases.
Beyond improving patient outcomes, this innovation could help ease labour shortages by freeing up ultrasound operators, nurses and doctors to focus on more complex care, while reducing demand for hospital beds and resources. By shifting monitoring to homes and communities, WITEC’s technology will enable patient self-management and timely intervention, potentially lowering healthcare costs and alleviating the increasing financial and manpower pressures of an ageing population.
Driving innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration
WITEC is led by the following Co-Lead Principal Investigators:
- Prof Xuanhe Zhao, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MIT
- Prof Joseph Sung, Senior Vice President (Health & Life Sciences), NTU Singapore, and Dean, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine)
- Prof Cher Heng Tan, Assistant Dean, Clinical Research, LKCMedicine
- Prof Chwee Teck Lim, NUS Society Professor of Biomedical Engineering, NUS, and Director, Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, NUS
- Prof Xiaodong Chen, Distinguished University Professor, School of Materials Science & Engineering, NTU
“We’re extremely proud to bring together an exceptional team of researchers from Singapore and the US to pioneer core technologies that will make wearable ultrasound imaging a reality. This endeavour combines deep expertise in materials science, data science, AI diagnostics, biomedical engineering and clinical medicine. Our phased approach will accelerate translation into a fully wearable platform that reshapes how chronic diseases are monitored, diagnosed and managed,” said Prof Xuanhe Zhao, Co-Lead Principal Investigator, WITEC.
Research roadmap with broad impact across healthcare, science, industry and economy
Bringing together leading experts across interdisciplinary fields, WITEC will advance foundational work in soft materials, transducers, microelectronics, data science and AI diagnostics, clinical medicine and biomedical engineering. As a deep tech R&D, its breakthroughs will have the potential to drive innovation in healthcare technology and manufacturing, diagnostics, wearable ultrasonic imaging, metamaterials, and AI-powered health analytics. WITEC’s work is also expected to accelerate growth in high-value jobs across research, engineering, clinical validation and healthcare services, and attract strategic investments that foster biomedical innovation and industry partnerships in Singapore, the US and beyond.
“Chronic diseases present significant challenges for patients, families, and healthcare systems, and with aging populations such as Singapore, those challenges will only grow without new solutions. Our research into a wearable ultrasound imaging system aims to transform daily care for those living with cardiovascular and other chronic conditions – providing clinicians with richer, continuous insights to guide treatment, while giving patients greater confidence and control over their own health. WITEC’s pioneering work marks an important step towards shifting care from episodic, hospital-based interventions to more proactive, everyday management in the community,” said Prof Joseph Sung, Co‑Lead Principal Investigator, WITEC.
Led by Dr Violet Hoon, Senior Consultant at TTSH, the clinical trials are expected to commence in early 2026 to validate long-term heart monitoring in the management of chronic cardiovascular disease. Through innovations in bioadhesive couplants, nanostructured metamaterials and ultrasonic transducers, over the next three years, WITEC aims to develop a cart-based bioadhesive ultrasound (BAUS) system capable of continuous, real-time monitoring and personalised diagnosis of medical conditions. In future stages, WITEC aims to develop a fully integrated portable BAUS platform capable of 48-hour intermittent imaging.
As MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, SMART is committed to advancing breakthrough technologies that address pressing global challenges. WITEC adds to SMART’s existing research endeavours that foster a rich exchange of ideas through collaboration with leading researchers and academics from the US, Singapore, and around the world in key areas such as antimicrobial resistance, cell therapy development, precision agriculture, AI and 3D-sensing technologies.
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About Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)
Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (
SMART) is MIT’s Research Enterprise in Singapore, established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in partnership with the National Research Foundation of Singapore (NRF) since 2007. SMART is the first entity in the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (
CREATE) developed by NRF. SMART serves as an intellectual and innovation hub for research interactions between MIT and Singapore. Cutting-edge research projects in areas of interest to both Singapore and MIT are undertaken at SMART. SMART currently comprises an
Innovation Centre and six Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs): Antimicrobial Resistance (
AMR), Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (
CAMP), Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (
DiSTAP), Mens, Manus and Machina (
M3S), Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (
WISDOM), and Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (
WITEC).
SMART research is funded by the National Research Foundation Singapore under the CREATE programme.
For more information, please visit
http://smart.mit.edu
About Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC)
The WITEC collaborative research project is Singapore’s first centre dedicated to foundational research and development of wearable ultrasound imaging technology. Launched in May 2025 by the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), WITEC aims to pioneer the world’s first wearable ultrasound imaging system to enable continuous, real-time monitoring and personalised diagnosis of chronic conditions. By integrating advancements in soft materials, metamaterials, low-power electronics and intelligent algorithms, WITEC aims to shift healthcare from hospital-centric, reactive care to proactive, community-based solutions.
For more information, please visit
https://smart.mit.edu/research/witec/about-witec
Media OutReach
A Diamond is Forever And Lane Crawford Launch “The Forever Gifts: A Natural Diamond Series”
“The Forever Gifts: A Natural Diamond Series” the ultimate destination for bespoke natural diamond master creations in Hong Kong, launched with a line-up of activities at Lane Crawford’s flagship retail space in IFC mall. Renowned actress Charmaine Sheh, fashion trendsetter Hilary Tsui, VIPs, media members and influencers from Hong Kong and China were invited to explore exquisite natural diamond collections, thoughtfully curated by Lane Crawford.

This special series starts with a selection of contemporary fine jewellery brands, each offering a unique design story and a commitment to creativity and excellence. They include State Property, YEPREM, Mio Harutaka, KORLOFF and Claudia Ma Fine Jewellery. “This collaboration marks an important moment for Lane Crawford. Together with De Beers, we’re creating a destination that celebrates the beauty of natural diamonds through exceptional craftsmanship and global creativity. This exclusive space reimagines how clients engage with fine jewellery – bringing artistry, innovation, and the opportunity to design something truly personal.” Emily Wong, Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Lane Crawford.
The exclusive event brought a series of interactive workshops led by experts Jodine Bolden and Samantha Sibley from the De Beers Institute of Diamonds alongside London-based multi-disciplinary artist Annette Fernando.

At the natural diamond workshop, participants gained hands-on experience on rough diamond sorting, polished diamond grading, and differentiation of natural diamonds versus synthetics. Participants also had the unique opportunity of viewing a nearby 297-carat rough diamond and kimberlite carrying a 22-carat rough diamond. Also on display was a gem called “Beating Heart”, a 0.329-carat rough diamond that features a smaller diamond moving freely inside its larger counterpart, a rarity that showcases the extraordinary conditions under which diamonds can form. This exquisite piece, recovered by De Beers Group and analyzed at the facilities of De Beers Institute of Diamonds, is recorded on the Tracr platform, giving insight into its history and heritage. Upon completion of the workshop, each participant received a natural diamond masterclass certificate from the De Beers Institute of Diamonds.
“We are pleased to partner with Lane Crawford for this special series of events to proudly recognize the enduring value of natural diamonds, and to honour the artists who continue to bring life to these creations.” says Loletta Lai, Vice President, Natural Diamonds APAC De Beers Group.
Complementing the technical insight offered by the De Beers Institute of Diamonds, artist Annette Fernando shared her art creations inspired by natural diamonds, named The Multi-Faceted Self. Through a reflective coloring workshop, Annette invited participants to explore the transformative journey of natural diamonds as a metaphor for personal growth and resilience.
The partnership between A Diamond is Forever and Lane Crawford spotlights crafted natural diamond pieces sourced and styled from around the globe, the most treasured gifts ever! These iconic legacy brands and exciting new talent alike, all centered around the timeless beauty of natural diamonds, come together at Lane Crawford, the ultimate destination for discovery, craftsmanship, and contemporary luxury.
Featured Brands
Claudia Ma Fine Jewellery
Claudia Ma, driven by a passion for modern high jewelry and an unwavering dedication to quality, founded her eponymous brand, Claudia Ma, in 2000. With a distinctive design sensibility and an eye for artistic aesthetics, she masterfully reinterprets classic themes through innovative modern expressions. Her creations have earned widespread acclaim for their signature style and exceptional craftsmanship. Over the years, Claudia has collaborated with renowned names such as Shanghai Tang, Lane Crawford, and De Beers Group Forevermark, solidifying her brand’s standing in Hong Kong’s fine jewelry landscape.
Her latest work draws inspiration from the barbell as a symbol of balance, focus, and strength. Crafted in 18k gold and accented with natural diamonds, these versatile pieces embody resilience while seamlessly elevating everyday style.
According to Claudia, “Natural diamonds and craftsmanship go hand in hand. Craftsmanship brings out the diamond’s inner brilliance, while my design presents this timeless classic in a modern way for generations to enjoy. Without this artistry, even the finest diamond remains just a hidden treasure.”
State Property
An award-winning contemporary fine jewellery label from Singapore, State Property fuses modern design with traditional craftsmanship. Founded in 2015 by a jeweller and an industrial designer, the brand draws inspiration from culture, literature, and history—bringing to life structured silhouettes in precious metals that embrace the softness of the human form.
“There’s an emotional gravity with natural diamonds that’s hard to replicate, State Property shares. “Their rarity, beauty, and resilience make them extraordinary. Each one a fragment of the earth’s story, time in a crystallised form. We’re drawn to materials that carry meaning, and diamonds embody permanence, memory, and the quiet luxury of time. At State Property, we strive to have those same qualities reflected in our own work — creating jewellery with intention, designed to endure and be cherished across generations.”
YEPREM
Known for its avant-garde creations, House of YEPREM is a family-run brand that continues to push the boundaries of contemporary diamond jewellery. With a legacy rooted in timeless craftsmanship and visionary design, YEPREM’s striking pieces are now celebrated across America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
“Natural diamonds are the ultimate expression of authenticity and endurance, virtues that mirror YEPREM’s journey and craftsmanship. Born from time, pressure, and perseverance, each diamond holds the essence of transformation and strength. Their inherent brilliance and purity transcend trends, embodying emotion and individuality. In YEPREM’s world, a natural diamond is not merely a material, it is the foundation upon which stories of resilience and radiance are told.”
Mio Harutaka
Crafted in Japan by local artisans, MIO HARUTAKA channels the beauty of Mother Nature into every design. The brand, founded in 2011, is committed to achieving diamond traceability and sustainability while maintaining exceptional artisanal craftsmanship. Harutaka shares: “Craftsmanship is essential—it accounts for almost everything. All of these details depend entirely on the skills of the craftsmen. Craftsmanship is what allows me to welcome close, hands-on appreciation, knowing that each piece will meet that level of scrutiny with confidence and beauty.”
KORLOFF
Since 1978, KORLOFF has been a symbol of true femininity—magnetic, adventurous, and bold. Renowned for crafting exquisite bespoke jewelry, each piece reflects daring designs and the unmatched artistry of French craftsmanship, showcasing the Maison’s boundless creativity and passion. “Our story began with a diamond, the Black Korloff, the largest brilliant-cut natural black diamond in the world. Its uniqueness, shaped over millions of years, continues to inspire us every day as a symbol of mystery, transformation, and the magic of nature. Natural diamonds possess an authenticity and depth that no other material can replicate. They remind us that beauty is born from time, pressure, and light, forces that mirror the creative journey behind each Korloff jewel.”
Meet the De Beers Institute of Diamonds Experts:
Jodine Bolden, Director of Education De Beers Institute of Diamonds
Jodine has previously developed her career as an operations line manager within large FMCG companies, and European HR Management roles within the luxury Health & Beauty industry where she first developed her passion for creating exceptional consumer experiences. After moving to De Beers, she worked as HR Manager for 5 years and discovered her fascination for diamonds as she supported various global functions across the De Beers estate, she then involved creating the Institute of Diamonds Education Service and developing each course that they now offer to their clients.
Since 2018 the De Beers Institute of Diamonds Education Service has provided education on a range of diamond subjects including, Rough Diamond Sorting, Polished Diamond Grading and Laboratory-Grown Detection.
Samantha Sibley, Technical Liaison Manager De Beers Group, UK
With over 30 years’ experience in De Beers’ research, development and commercial teams, Samantha brings a wealth of knowledge regarding the characteristics of both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds. She has been involved in the development of De Beers Group’s current and previous suites of verification instruments and currently also facilitates training and educational courses around the world on the use of these instruments for accurate screening results. Other projects involve research into irradiation and HPHT colour treatments and the utilisation of this information to develop screening processes within the De Beers grading laboratories.
Sam has a BTEC Higher National Certificate in Physics, is a diamond fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (DGA) and holds a team leader qualification from Leadership Management UK and the Chartered Management Institute. She has presented on diamond topics globally and has had first-hand experience of the diamond industry over many years through visits to mines, cutting centres, polishing factories, gemmological laboratories and tradeshows.
Annette Fernando, Commissioned Artist, “The Multi-Faceted Self” at The Forever Gifts: A Natural Diamond Series
Annette Fernando (b. 1991, London) is a multi-disciplinary artist and curator. She holds a BA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins and is currently pursuing an MA in Contemporary Art at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, where she was awarded the prestigious Cultural Leaders Scholarship.
Fernando’s artistic repertoire spans drawing, printmaking, painting, and film. Fernando’s current work is driven to immortalise natures scenes, capturing the beauty of moments often overlooked through various mediums. Fernando’s work has garnered significant recognition, including winning the Jerwood Drawing Prize in 2014 and selections for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2021 and 2023. Her pieces are held in public and private collections across the USA, France, Hong Kong, and the UK.
Hashtag: #adiamondisforeverhk #lanecrawford #adiamondisforever #theforevergifts #naturaldiamonds #diamonds
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About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services via De Beers Institute of Diamonds and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology systems via De Beers Group Ignite. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal
opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American PLC group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.
About Lane Crawford
Founded in 1850, Lane Crawford is an iconic luxury department store, with a mission to search the world for the most exciting talent and product, to create the ultimate luxury edit of fashion and lifestyle for its customers across Greater China. Featuring the largest own-bought designer portfolio across Womenswear, Menswear, Beauty & Wellbeing,
Home and Lifestyle, and Fine Jewellery in the region, Lane Crawford constantly evolves its product, experience, and services offer to embrace the most innovative and relevant designers and exceptional craftsmanship of the season, and to reflect the dynamic pace of its market and customers.
With four stores in Hong Kong; and three stores across Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, supported by a global digital flagship, and a purpose-built ecommerce site for China and WeChat store, Lane Crawford is Greater China’s first and only omni-channel luxury fashion retailer. Each store is personalised to its location and designed to provide sensory experience, fusing fashion, design, art and music, while offering exceptional service.
Lane Crawford is a part of The Lane Crawford Joyce Group, Asia’s premier fashion retail, brand management and distribution group, which also includes cutting-edge fashion boutique Joyce; and fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brand management and distribution business ImagineX Group.
Media OutReach
Happy New Year for Hong Kong’s Tourism and Mega Events Economy
A series of events including music performances and a light show were arranged by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) with the aim of conveying positive energy, care, and blessings of peace to both locals and visitors, and to welcome a hopeful new year together.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government had anticipated a large number of visitors during the festive season, which included a four-day long weekend over Christmas, while January 1 coincided with the start of a three-day long holiday on the Chinese Mainland.
The Government said the number of non-Chinese Mainland visitors reached a post-Covid record every day during the Christmas holiday with around 50,000 visitors daily from December 25 to 27, accounting for around 33% of the total number of travellers during that period.
This influx of festive visitors provided a further boost to Hong Kong’s tourism sector. In 2025, Hong Kong received 50 million visitors, marking a 12% year-on-year rise. This included 38 million visitors from the Chinese Mainland (up 11% year-on-year) and 12 million non-Chinese Mainland visitors (up 15% year-on-year).
In the Euromonitor International Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025, Hong Kong ranked second globally for international arrivals, behind only Bangkok.
The large number of visitors over festive period provided further impetus to the local tourism industry, which had already been buoyed by a series of mega events at the new Kai Tak Sports Park. Since its opening in March 2025, KTSP has become a new hub for major sports and entertainment events.

Looking ahead, the Kai Tak Stadium will welcome global pop icons BLACKPINK for back-to-back shows of the highly anticipated Asia leg of their WORLD TOUR <DEADLINE> later this month.
Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #tourism #megaevents #newyear #countdown #kaitaksportspark
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Media OutReach
Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival: A New Year’s Eve Celebration
Prime Minister celebrated the New Year together with Malaysians and officially kicked off Visit Malaysia 2026 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, amid captivating pyromusical fireworks, drone formations, laser shows, and stunning 3D anamorphic projections, alongside a star-studded lineup of top artistes
The highlight of the night was the countdown moment led by YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia as the Guest of Honour, who joined thousands of Malaysians and visitors to welcome the New Year. Underscoring the national significance of the occasion, the celebration was also attended by YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.
YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, stated: “This celebration was a symbolic event to ignite the momentum for VM2026 while welcoming the world to our shores. Malaysia is now fully ready to showcase its unique culture, creativity, and the warm hospitality of its people. It marks a strong head start towards our aspiration of 43 million international visitor arrivals, further solidifying our position on the global tourism map.”
The VM2026 Countdown Festival stood as a grand manifestation of Malaysia’s excellence on the global stage. Drawing thousands of domestic and international visitors, the New Year’s Eve celebration featured a breathtaking multimedia extravaganza, seamlessly integrating pyromusical fireworks, drone formations and laser projections. A key highlight was the stunning 3D anamorphic display starring the campaign’s beloved Malayan Sun Bear mascots, Wira and Manja.
The main stage was also graced by a stellar lineup of renowned local artistes, including Shila Amzah, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Vanessa Reynauld, Kidd Santhe, The Kuans, KLP48, Nazu, Rezza Shah, Danson Ooi, Euzen, and Penny. Their performances were complemented by dedicated cultural showcases that blended traditional rhythms with modern beats, elevating the celebratory atmosphere of the night.
The VM2026 Countdown Festival was a wider festive programme that began as early as 26 December 2025, extending the celebrations beyond the heart of the city. Parallel events and activities were held, offering visitors a glimpse of Malaysia’s rich heritage and creative spirit while embodying the essence of Truly Asia.
These included the VM2026 Bazaar at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, VM2026 Arts & Culture Showcase at Fahrenheit 88, featuring cultural pop-ups, interactive experiences such as batik art, porcelain making, wau decoration among others and showcases that drew strong public participation over several days. Malaysia’s vibrant food scene was brought to life at the VM2026 Bukit Bintang Food Bazaar, Lot 10, presenting a curated mix of traditional cuisines, local favourites and contemporary delights.
The build-up was further amplified by daily live 10 iconic DJs, flash mobs at the Bukit Bintang Crossing, Malaysia’s very own infamous Shibuya crossing and busking performances across key locations, creating a steady prelude to the countdown and sparking excitement both on the ground and across social media.
VM2026 provides a platform to bring Malaysia’s narrative to the global stage, guided by five strategic pillars: sustainability, cultural heritage, nature-based adventure, digital innovation, and global connectivity. However, these strengths will only truly shine when celebrated together by all Malaysians.
The festival was organised with the strong support of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Tourism Malaysia as key partners. The success of the event was also made possible through collaboration with strategic partners, including Istana Budaya, the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN), the National Heritage Department, and the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation.
As the immersive countdown finale illuminated the Kuala Lumpur skyline, the VM2026 Countdown Festival marked a confident and celebratory opening to the tourism year ahead, reaffirming Malaysia’s readiness to welcome the world in 2026.
The year 2026 will be anchored by a series of mega events, including major festive celebrations such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali, which will showcase Malaysia’s rich cultural and ethnic diversity while enhancing visitor experiences through a vibrant presentation of local arts, heritage, and entertainment.
This momentum will be driven by the implementation of a wide range of high-impact tourism events and programmes, encompassing cultural festivals, conventions, and MICE activities (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), as well as large-scale tourism exhibitions. Adopted on a nationwide scale, this approach aims to expand tourism reach, encourage longer visitor stays, and provide meaningful opportunities for travellers to experience the distinct cultural identities of Malaysia’s diverse regions.
Hashtag: #VM2026Countdown #VisitMalaysia2026 #SurrealExperiences #MalaysiaTrulyAsia
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