PETALING JAYA, 3 May 2026 – Malaysia’s performing arts community gathered tonight at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) for the 21st BOH Cameronian Arts Awards (21BCAA), celebrating a year of artistic excellence and an industry increasingly shaped by collaboration across disciplines, communities and new technologies. Marking its step beyond the 20-year milestone, this year’s Awards turned the spotlight on collaborations that go beyond the norm.
Presented by BOH Plantations and Kakiseni, the 21BCAA carried the theme “COLLABeyond: Co-create the future,” capturing an evolving creative landscape where artists are redefining how stories are told through cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural and technology-driven collaborations.
More than a celebration of artistic achievement, the 21BCAA highlighted how collaboration has become a defining force within Malaysia’s performing arts ecosystem. Productions today are increasingly shaped by partnerships between artists, companies and institutions, as well as creative exchanges across dance, theatre, music and musical theatre. In some cases, artists are also experimenting with multimedia design, digital soundscapes and new performance technologies, exploring how human creativity and emerging tools can work together to expand the possibilities of live performance – and ultimately allowing artists to be a part of shaping the guardrails, boundaries, and potential of these tools.
As organiser of the Awards, Kakiseni continues to champion the development of Malaysia’s performing arts ecosystem by recognising excellence while continuously encouraging experimentation and partnerships between industry players, as well as the growth of new audiences.
The event, hosted by Sean Ghazi and young talent Huhu Maira, centred around the presentation of 39 awards, including the Best Of 2025 Awards, alongside the unveiling of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. The awards were presented by industry champions including Kakiseni founders Kathy Rowland and Jenny Daneels, and theatre icons Jo Kukathas, Joe Hasham and Dato’ Dr Faridah Merican.
An opening performance by Aidilla Shaffi, Mae Elliessa, Alesia Dhana and Huhu Maira, as well as a collaborative performance by dancer Zhafir Muzani with visual installation artist Max Jala, also brought the night alive, bringing together a vibrant line-up that reflects the breadth and vitality of the performing arts scene while showcasing the spirit of COLLABeyond.
Throughout the night, 40 winners were recognised, honouring excellence across the four disciplines of dance, music, musical theatre and theatre.
The ceremony culminated in the presentation of the prestigious Best Of 2025 awards to two winners, recognising the most outstanding productions of the year. Fragments of Tuah by Five Arts Centre and Setanggi Tari Melayu 2025 – Quintessential Malay Dance by ASK Dance Company.
Among other notable winners include Nabila Huda for Best Actor in Supporting Role as ‘Malam’ in Teater Masmoona by Storyteller Production, Muzza for Best Solo Performance – Vocal in Symphonic Rock 2.0 by Tutan Entertainment, and Jyotsna Prakash & Hariraam Tingyuan Lam for Best Music & Sound Design in The Artiste’s Dream by The Temple Of Fine Arts.
Other recipients who received several awards include Naz Manterang for Best Costume Design, Styling & Make-up in both Dance (Setanggi Tari Melayu 20205 – Quintessential Malay Dance by ASK Dance Company) and Musical Theatre (Teater Muzikal Paduka Cik Siti by Persatuan Alumni Aswara & Aswara) categories, as well as Mark Teh for Best Original Script and Best Director in Fragments of Tuah by Five Arts Centre. Meanwhile, productions like Gangsapura swept four awards across the Music category; Best Visual Presentation, Best Original Composition, Best Group Performance – Instrumental, and Best Production Values.
The ceremony also honoured Prof. Dr. Mohd Anis Md Nor with the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his enduring contributions to Zapin and the Malaysian performing arts landscape. A leading scholar in Malay and Southeast Asian dance and music, Prof. Dr. Mohd Anis has played a pivotal role in advancing the study, preservation and global understanding of traditional performance forms.
Caroline Russell, Executive Chairman of BOH Plantations, congratulated the winners and celebrated the continued partnership between BOH and Malaysia’s performing arts community. In a quote to Kakiseni, she said:
“As we mark 21 years of the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, we celebrate not just a milestone, but a vibrant and evolving community shaped by creativity, resilience and collaboration. From its beginnings with the founders of Kakiseni to the present, this journey has grown into a powerful platform that honours artistry while nurturing new voices. Through challenges and triumphs, the performing arts community has continued to inspire, connect and push boundaries. ‘COLLABeyond’ reflects this spirit – a reminder that when we come together across disciplines, we are stronger and can create something greater. BOH is proud to stand alongside the performing arts community, celebrating its legacy while looking ahead to a dynamic and exciting future.”
Low Ngai Yuen, President of Kakiseni, said the awards continue to recognise artistic excellence while encouraging artists to explore new creative possibilities through collaboration.
“Artists are not passive observers of change; we are the ones who must shape it. The performing arts have always evolved through collaboration. What we are seeing today is that this collaboration is expanding across disciplines, cultures, technologies and new ways of storytelling. Malaysian artists are not just adapting to change; they are shaping it. Whether working with traditional forms or emerging tools like AI, artists must lead the conversation on how creativity and technology coexist. The future of the arts belongs to those who collaborate fearlessly because collaboration is where new ideas, new audiences and new possibilities are born.”
Meanwhile, Tan Sri Norliza Rofli, the chairperson of Majlis Kebudayaan Negara (MAKEN), during her speech at the event, said:
“Tonight is about direction. We must get there together, both young and old. Malaysia has never lacked talent, we have a room full of them here. We never lacked stories or spirit. Yet, for too long we have moved in separate spaces. This is when the concept of COLLABeyond becomes important, as we go beyond conventional collaboration. From sharing a stage, to creating new stages together; from simply supporting one another to collectively designing the future.
“God willing, us from Majlis Kebudayaan Negara will be the binding factor. We will be the connectors and not just for continuity, but for the convergence of generations.”
As the Cameronian Arts Awards move into its third decade, the focus increasingly shifts from recognising excellence to strengthening the long-term sustainability and global visibility of Malaysia’s performing arts.
More than an awards ceremony, the evening served as a celebration of the collective imagination driving Malaysian performing arts forward. From emerging talents to veteran practitioners, the 21st BOH Cameronian Arts Awards highlighted a community that continues to grow through collaboration, curiosity and a shared belief in the enduring power of live performance.
The 21st BOH Cameronian Arts Awards is proudly presented by BOH Plantations and Kakiseni, endorsed by Majlis Kebudayaan Negara (MAKEN) and the National Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), with support from our partners, Yayasan Sime Darby, Taylor’s University, Capri Communications Sdn Bhd, A Cut Above, AV Solutions, BDO, CloudJoi, Sephora, Steven Sunny, Styllar Enterprise, Inch Perfect, Inisaya, KLCO Studio, Sacoor, and Yukihana.
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