KUCHING: The Borneo International Consumer Expo (BICE) has emerged as a key platform for promoting Borneo’s creative and commercial potential, with local talents taking centre stage through the Borneo’s Stars Talent competition.
The four-day exhibition, themed “Through Exhibitions, Showcase the Beauty of Borneo to the International Stage” has brought in international product exhibitors— underscoring Borneo’s growing role as a dynamic hub for regional and global exhibition and trade.
BICE Organising Chairman, Wynson Ong said the expo goes beyond trade promotion by providing space for Bornean talents to gain wider exposure.
“The expo is not only about products and businesses. It is also about giving Borneo’s talents a platform to be seen, recognised and developed,” he said.
One of the main highlights was Borneo’s Star Talent, a talent competition that drew 130 participants from across Borneo.
Of these, 36 contestants advanced to the semi-finals on Jan 30, before 20 finalists competed in the final round on Jan 31.
All semi-finalists were also featured in The Book of Borneo Talent, an initiative aimed at documenting and promoting emerging talents from the region.
The competition featured a diverse range of performances, including singing, traditional and contemporary dance, and group acts, reflecting Borneo’s cultural diversity and creative expression.
In the results, Duo Tangon from Sabah won the solo category, while Parhakow, also from Sabah, emerged champion in the group category.
The second place for the solo category went to Nursyarmimi Izzati from Kuching, meanwhile Marshmallow from Miri secured second place in the group category.
Third place in the solo category was also won by a Sabahan named Rylette Bewsher, while KinATe’Sprouts from Kuching took the third prize for group category.
Special awards were also presented, with Gasara Tari bestowed the Sarawak Culture Star Award; meanwhile, Tetarigas won the Sabah Culture Star Award; and Fiza Kamila received the Indonesia Star Culture Award for their respective performances that creatively and authentically highlighted local cultural elements.
The programme was supported by strategic partners, including the Majlis Seni Sarawak, the Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara (JKKN Sarawak) and Tourism Malaysia, in line with efforts to promote Visit Malaysia 2026.
Ong expressed hope that BICE and Borneo’s Star Talent would continue as annual events and serve as a launchpad for more Bornean talents and entrepreneurs to compete internationally.
