Malaysian singer Wani Kayrie is set to take her musical journey to the international stage as she has been selected to represent Malaysia at the 15th ABU Song Festival, taking place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 2 November 2026.
The announcement marks another significant milestone in Wani’s growing music career, following her recent appearance at the prestigious Anugerah Juara Lagu 40 (AJL40). More importantly, she will be the sole Malaysian artist selected by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to represent the country at this year’s festival.
For Wani, this is more than just another international performance. It is an opportunity to introduce Malaysian music, colours and cultural identity to audiences from across the Asia-Pacific region.
From AJL40 to the International Stage
Wani Kayrie’s selection comes after her achievement of securing a place in the AJL40 finals with her song, “Cak Cak Cekuk”. Performing at one of Malaysia’s most prestigious music award ceremonies was already a significant achievement for the singer, fulfilling one of her career aspirations.
Now, she is taking the same musical identity beyond Malaysia’s borders.
At the ABU Song Festival, Wani will perform the AJL40 version of “Cak Cak Cekuk”, a song that combines traditional Malaysian musical elements with a modern presentation. The performance is expected to highlight the uniqueness of local music while giving international audiences a glimpse of Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage.
The ABU Song Festival brings together performers from different Asia-Pacific countries, celebrating musical diversity and cultural expression through performances that reflect each nation’s identity.
Wani’s participation is particularly meaningful as she will not only be performing as a singer but also carrying the responsibility of showcasing Malaysia’s artistic creativity on an international platform.
A Special Honour for Wani Kayrie
Speaking about her selection, Wani expressed her excitement and gratitude for being given the opportunity to represent Malaysia at such an important international event.
She described the appointment as a special recognition, especially since the selection process considers an artist’s achievements and career milestones.
Wani hopes the experience will allow her to showcase her abilities while introducing the beauty of Malaysian culture to a wider audience.
For the singer, the main objective is to make the audience in Sri Lanka appreciate the uniqueness of Malaysian music through her performance.
It is also an opportunity to demonstrate how traditional cultural influences can be presented in a contemporary musical arrangement without losing their original character.
Maintaining the Identity of ‘Cak Cak Cekuk’
One of the interesting aspects of Wani’s upcoming performance is the decision to retain the original concept of “Cak Cak Cekuk” as presented at AJL40.
Rather than introducing an entirely new arrangement, the preparation focuses on refreshing selected elements to suit the international stage.
These adjustments include changes to the dancers’ choreography, stage costumes and Wani’s own outfit.
According to Wani, the preparation process has been relatively straightforward because the team wants to preserve the song’s original identity while adding suitable visual touches for the international audience.
The performance will place particular emphasis on colours, costume designs and traditional Malaysian influences.
This approach allows Wani to maintain the character of “Cak Cak Cekuk” while presenting a refreshed performance that reflects the vibrancy of Malaysian culture.
Wani departed for Colombo on 30 October and was scheduled to remain in Sri Lanka until 3 November 2026.
Rocketfuel Entertainment Proud to Support Local Talent
Wani’s international opportunity has also received strong support from her management, Rocketfuel Entertainment.
Rocketfuel Entertainment Head, Mathan Rajasingam, expressed his pride in seeing Wani selected to represent Malaysia at the 15th ABU Song Festival.
He described the opportunity as an important achievement for the singer and a valuable platform to introduce Malaysian music and culture to international audiences.
The company also hopes Wani will make the most of this experience and deliver a performance that Malaysians can be proud of.
As an entertainment label committed to developing local talent, Rocketfuel Entertainment reaffirmed its support for helping Malaysian artists grow their careers and explore opportunities beyond the local entertainment industry.
‘Cak Cak Cekuk’ AJL Version Now Available on Digital Platforms
Beyond her international appearance, fans can also enjoy Wani Kayrie’s music through digital streaming platforms.
The “Cak Cak Cekuk Versi AJL” was officially made available on various digital platforms starting 16 October 2026.
For fans who have followed her journey from AJL40, this is another opportunity to enjoy the song and revisit the performance that helped bring Wani to the international spotlight.
With “Cak Cak Cekuk” as her musical showcase, Wani Kayrie’s participation in the 15th ABU Song Festival represents another exciting chapter in her career.
More than simply performing overseas, she will be bringing a piece of Malaysia’s musical identity to an international audience, proving that local talent and cultural creativity deserve a place on the global stage.
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