
AKB48 Has Started KLP48's 'BLOOM' 2nd Generation Auditions In Malaysia
This is more than just an audition – it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shine. With the group's momentum stronger than ever, the stage is set for new voices, new dreams, and new stars. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting out, now is the time to show the world what you've got.
KLP48 is Malaysia's first AKB48-style idol group, making its debut in August 2024. As the 10th international sister group under the AKB48 franchise, they follow in the footsteps of JKT48 (Jakarta) and BNK48 (Bangkok). Their first single, a Malay version of 'Heavy Rotation,' captured local hearts, followed by 'Iiwake Maybe' in February 2025.
More than just performers, KLP48 bridges cultures through language and music. They sing in Japanese, Malay, English, and Mandarin, allowing them to connect with fans from all walks of life. With their unique blend of energy, diversity, and heart, KLP48 continues to inspire a new wave of idols. So if you or anyone you know is ready to step into the spotlight, here's everything you need to know about the audition:
KLP48 2nd Generation 'BLOOM' Audition In Malaysia:
Date: 1st July 2025 (Tuesday) – 1st August 2025 (Friday)
1st July 2025 (Tuesday) – 1st August 2025 (Friday) Eligibility: Women of all nationalities, aged between 13 to 23 years old.
Women of all nationalities, aged between 13 to 23 years old. How To Apply: Record a 90-second video dancing and/or singing and send to klp48audition.com.
From the 23rd August (Saturday) to the 24th August (Sunday), Shortlisted candidates will be notified to attend the onsite screening in Kuala Lumpur. For more information and updates, check out KLP48's official social media. Applicants under the age of 18 require parental consent to be able to participate, and don't forget to send in your auditions to klp48audition.
Zaima Humaira contributed to this article
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
28 minutes ago
- The Star
Shila Amzah lodges police report, claims she was threatened by legendary singer
The 34-year-old says she filed a police report out of fear. Photo: Shila Amzah/Instagram Singer Shila Amzah has lodged a police report, claiming she was threatened by a male rock singer during a concert rehearsal, reported mStar – The Star 's Malay-language portal. According to sources, the incident took place on Thursday (July 10) just after Shila completed a performance rehearsal at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. The male singer allegedly approached her and shouted in a threatening manner, though the cause of the confrontation remains unclear. He reportedly yelled: " Aku dah lama cari kau. Tahulah apa nasib kau nanti " (I've been looking for you for a long time. You'll see what will happen to you). Many witnesses were said to be present at the time of the incident. Feeling threatened, the 34-year-old singer filed a police report the same day. She later shared on Instagram: 'Crazy how people with such experience choose to be unprofessional. A police report and restraining order in process.' Police confirmed they received the report at 5.30pm at the Dang Wangi Police District. The case is being investigated under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation. Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said on Friday: 'The investigation paper was opened following Shila's report. Police have taken two statements to date.' He added: 'There was no physical contact. The investigation is ongoing.'


Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
Serumpun Sarawak Ignites A Cultural Gastronomy Journey from Borneo to the World
Published on: Saturday, July 12, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jul 12, 2025 Text Size: PETALING JAYA: Sarawak is stepping boldly onto the global culinary stage with the launch of Serumpun Sarawak, a landmark journey that redefines indigenous heritage, food traditions, and cultural creativity as powerful tools for global influence and sustainable economic growth. Building momentum toward its international debut, Serumpun Sarawak is set to headline two major showcases: Osaka, Japan and Mulu, Sarawak. These global stages will feature curated tasting experiences, storytelling installations, and collaborative performances that present Sarawak's cultural identity in a vibrant, modern context. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP) and the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Serumpun Sarawak marks a bold new chapter for the state's tourism and cultural economy. The initiative is led by world-renowned chef and indigenous gastronomy advocate, Chef James Won, in collaboration with Atlas Collective. More than a gastronomic experience, Serumpun Sarawak is a global invitation to engage with Sarawak as a living ecosystem of biodiversity, creativity, and ancestral knowledge, where indigenous wisdom meets contemporary innovation, and where food becomes a vessel for storytelling, identity, and connection. 'When Kuching earned its designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, it wasn't simply a feather in our cap, it was a call to action. A signal to the world that Sarawak's culinary roots run deep — and our ambitions reach far,' said YB Dato' Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak. 'Serumpun Sarawak is our answer to that call. It is where ancestral knowledge meets cutting-edge creativity. Where native ingredients become narrative. Where stories from the lands are translated into unforgettable multisensory experiences.'' The journey's first confirmed activation will take place from 5 to 8 August 2025 in Osaka, Japan, as part of an exclusive cultural gastronomy showcase in conjunction with the World Expo 2025. Hosted at Seaside Studio Caso, this immersive event will introduce Japanese and global audiences to the depth and diversity of Sarawak's indigenous cuisines, ingredients, and creative expressions. Through curated dining experiences, visual storytelling, and cultural showcases, Osaka will offer a window into Sarawak's soul, a vibrant confluence of land, people, and culinary heritage. Following its international debut, Serumpun Sarawak will return to its roots with a powerful community-based activation deep in Sarawak's own natural crown jewel, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mulu National Park. In October 2025, the journey will host a site-specific experience within the park itself, blending indigenous culinary traditions, ecological appreciation, and cultural storytelling in one of the world's most awe-inspiring environments. The Mulu activation reflects Serumpun Sarawak's commitment to ensuring that global recognition is always grounded in respect for local communities, biodiversity, and indigenous knowledge systems. Collaboration sits at the heart of Serumpun Sarawak, with leading Sarawakian organisations such as Earthlings Coffee Workshop, Tanoti Crafts, The Tuyang Initiative, and the Culinary Heritage & Arts Society Sarawak (CHASS) working together to champion indigenous ingredients, craftsmanship, and cultural preservation. Their shared vision ensures that the journey remains rooted in authenticity, empowering local communities while amplifying Sarawak's position as a world-class destination for cultural and culinary exploration. Guests at today's press conference were offered an early taste of what lies ahead, with a captivating ethnic cooking showcase and an exclusive preview of The Serumpun Story, a short film encapsulating the essence of the journey. A curated coffee experience by Earthlings Coffee Workshop also highlighted Sarawak's emerging status as a terroir for exceptional coffee cultivation, blending tradition, sustainability, and global potential. Serumpun Sarawak represents the next evolution of Sarawak's tourism and cultural landscape, where heritage is not frozen in time but continually reimagined, shared, and celebrated. It is an invitation to the world to experience Sarawak not just through its landscapes but through its flavours, its stories, and its people. As the journey prepares to take Sarawak's cultural gastronomy to Mulu, Osaka, and beyond, one message rings clear: Sarawak is ready to lead, to inspire, and to redefine how the world experiences Borneo. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Tok Dalang 'Mie Gajah Putih' fights to preserve Kelantan's dying shadow art
TUMPAT: In a quiet corner of Wakaf Bharu, beneath the dim glow of oil lamps and the rhythmic beat of traditional instruments, 54-year-old Mohd Suhaimi Ibrahim breathes life into leather puppets that dance across a white screen. Better known by his stage name 'Mie Gajah Putih', Suhaimi is one of only nine remaining tok dalang or shadow puppet masters in Kelantan. The father of six has been performing wayang kulit since 2010, continuing a centuries-old tradition that now teeters on the edge of extinction. "Back then, we used to perform almost every week. Now, maybe once every two months," he said, with a trace of melancholy in his voice. "The invitations usually come from RTM or village folk who still want wayang kulit at weddings or community events," he said. He said Kelantan, once the cultural heartland of traditional Malay arts, now has only nine active tok dalang — seven Malays and two Chinese. "The youngest is just a Year Three student while the oldest is a seasoned master aged 75. "But with dwindling interest and increasing religious scrutiny, the art form has seen a steep decline. "It started slowing down in the 1990s after Kelantan came under Pas rule," said Suhaimi. He added many believe wayang kulit contradicts Islamic teachings. "So people became hesitant. Some even afraid," he added. Suhaimi said wayang kulit is far more than entertainment. "It's a rich blend of storytelling, music, spiritual symbolism, and social commentary. "Traditional stories like Hikayat Sri Rama still dominate but modern scripts even performances based on government departments or current issues are sometimes included at the organiser's request," he said. He added a typical show features tok dalang and seven musicians, who play instruments such as the serunai, gongand canang. "Altogether, there are 42 songs in wayang kulit, with each puppet character assigned a distinct melody. "Among the most popular pieces are 'Menyembah Raja', 'Pak Yong Muda' and 'Berkaba' (narrative storytelling). "A tok dalang must know them all," he said, smiling. He added tok dalang must wear the 'semutar' (a cloth wrapped around the head) as his signature look. "I usually wear a Pagoda brand shirt, sarong and semutar when performing the show. That's tradition," he added. Despite his dedication, Suhaimi worries for the future. "Younger generations show little interest in learning the craft, opting instead for smartphones and social media. "They think it's hard and it is. You have to follow a structured process. "Learn the characters, songs, techniques, rhythm. It's not something you master in a week," he added. Still, Suhaimi continues to perform, hoping each show might inspire just one curious soul to take up the art. "To be a tok dalang is not just to perform. It's to preserve. "This is the heritage of our ancestors. If we let it go, we lose a part of who we are," he added.