New nationwide talent discovery competition, Borneo Rising, aims to discover, nurture and elevate the next generation of singing talent from Sabah and Sarawak
PETALING JAYA, 21 August 2026 – CelcomDigi Berhad ("CelcomDigi"), in collaboration with Astro, is set to ignite a new chapter in Malaysia's entertainment landscape with the launch of Borneo Rising. As Malaysia's first reality TV singing competition dedicated to East Malaysian talent, the eight-week reality competition reflects CelcomDigi and Astro's shared commitment to creating opportunities and bringing communities throughout Malaysia together through the universal language of music.
The programme will be hosted entirely in East Malaysia and provides aspiring artists with a platform to showcase their talent closer to home. Following a month-long audition tour across Sabah and Sarawak, Borneo Rising enters its competition stage this September.
CelcomDigi prepaid customers nationwide can support their favourite contestants with additional voting points with every reload. Customers also stand a chance to win tickets to live shows, meet-and-greet sessions and exclusive watch parties through contests and giveaways on CelcomDigi’s social media platforms.
Borneo Rising celebrates the rich musical heritage, cultural diversity and creative spirit of Sabah and Sarawak, while providing a platform for local stories and aspirations to be expressed through music.
“We are excited to combine CelcomDigi's nationwide reach with Astro's expertise in talent development and entertainment to create meaningful opportunities for aspiring singers from Sabah and Sarawak to be discovered and celebrated by audiences across Malaysia. Programmes like Borneo Rising are not one-off efforts for CelcomDigi. They reflect our commitment to go beyond digital connectivity by creating experiences that bring people together, strengthen community bonds and champion the passions that matter to our customers,” said Chan May Ling, CelcomDigi’s Head of Brand and Marketing Services.
This belief in the power of meaningful connections extends beyond technology. While our network powers millions of everyday connections across the country, we are committed to creating opportunities for people to come together through shared experiences and memorable moments that matter.
Be part of the Borneo Rising journey
Throughout the competition, CelcomDigi customers will have more opportunities to support their favourite contestants and get closer to the action.
Adding to the excitement, Borneo Rising roadshows will make their way across selected locations, featuring fun interactive activities, exclusive promotions on CelcomDigi products and services, as well as attractive device offers. Further details on customer activities, voting mechanics and exclusive Borneo Rising experiences will be shared closer to the programme launch.
