CelcomDigi and Astro Spotlight Borneo Rising_ East Malaysia's Next Generation of Music Talent

CelcomDigi Berhad, in collaboration with Astro, is set to introduce a new platform for aspiring musicians from Sabah and Sarawak through Borneo Rising, Malaysia’s first reality TV singing competition dedicated to East Malaysian talent. The eight-week programme aims to bring a fresh generation of singers into the national spotlight while celebrating the rich cultural heritage, diversity and creative identity of East Malaysia through music.

Hosted entirely in East Malaysia, Borneo Rising is designed to give aspiring artists an opportunity to showcase their abilities closer to home. The journey began with a month-long audition tour across Sabah and Sarawak, allowing local talents from different communities to audition and pursue their dreams of becoming professional performers. Following the audition phase, the competition will move into its main stage in September.

The collaboration between CelcomDigi and Astro reflects a shared ambition to create meaningful opportunities for emerging talents while bringing Malaysians together through music. By combining CelcomDigi’s nationwide reach with Astro’s experience in entertainment and talent development, Borneo Rising aims to provide a platform where voices and stories from Sabah and Sarawak can reach audiences across the country.

Beyond the competition itself, the programme also gives CelcomDigi customers an opportunity to participate in the journey. CelcomDigi prepaid customers nationwide can support their favourite contestants by earning additional voting points with every reload. This initiative allows fans from across Malaysia to play a more active role in determining the progress of contestants throughout the competition.

Fans can also look forward to opportunities to experience Borneo Rising beyond their television screens. CelcomDigi will be running contests and giveaways through its social media platforms, offering customers chances to win tickets to live shows, meet-and-greet sessions and exclusive watch parties. These activities are expected to bring fans closer to the contestants and create more opportunities for shared experiences.

The programme will also be supported by Borneo Rising roadshows at selected locations, featuring interactive activities, exclusive promotions on CelcomDigi products and services, as well as attractive device offers. More information regarding customer activities, voting mechanisms and exclusive Borneo Rising experiences will be announced closer to the programme launch.

For CelcomDigi, the initiative represents an effort to go beyond providing digital connectivity by creating experiences that encourage communities to connect through shared interests and memorable moments. The company views music as a powerful platform for strengthening relationships between people while giving individuals an opportunity to pursue passions that matter to them.

With Sabah and Sarawak providing the backdrop for the entire competition, Borneo Rising is set to showcase the diverse musical influences and creative voices emerging from East Malaysia. More importantly, the programme provides local artists with a national platform while allowing audiences throughout Malaysia to discover new talent and stories from the region.

As Borneo Rising heads into its competition stage this September, the programme promises to bring together music, culture, community and entertainment in a celebration of East Malaysia’s next generation of performers. Through the collaboration between CelcomDigi and Astro, the initiative could mark an important step towards creating greater visibility and opportunities for emerging musical talents from Sabah and Sarawak.