The two-day Malaysia International Miniature Hobby Show & Competition (MIMHS - MALCOM) has officially commenced in the grand ballroom on the 10th floor of The Wembley - A St Giles Hotel, Penang. This prestigious event is spearheaded by Mr. Choo Huang Ming, founder of World Hobby Miniatures, with the support of the Penang State Executive Council for Tourism and Creative Economy office (PETACE). We are greatly honoured today by the presence of Mr. Kawaguchi Yoshiyasu, Consulate-General of Japan in Penang. Your attendance not only underscores the significance of this event but also highlights the deep bilateral relations and cultural affinity between our two countries.

This year's Malaysia International Miniature Hobby Show & Competition theme is “Honoring the Classics, Inheriting the Future,” which succinctly captures the essence of miniature art. At this exhibition, I have seen many classic miniatures model series such as Star Wars, Warhammer 40,000, Gundam, and various military models. Each miniature model is unique, and remarkable for its intricate details despite its small size. These miniature works reflect historical moments and allow us to appreciate and preserve our cultural heritage. They also serve as a canvas for artists to unleash their creativity and push the boundaries of innovation. Through these works, we not only witness the extraordinary skills of the artists but also feel their deep passion for the culture of miniature models.

Notably, the Malaysia International Miniature Hobby Show & Competition has long been Southeast Asia's largest annual miniature model exhibition, renowned for its prestige. In recent years, it has become one of Penang's premier events, attracting model enthusiasts, collectors, and manufacturers from around the world. This event is considered the most well-known international miniature model event in Asia, renowned for its global reach and gathering of top talents and outstanding works from around the world.

This year's Malaysia International Miniature Hobby Show & Competition has drawn approximately 73 miniature model manufacturers from countries including Spain, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Germany, Thailand, Vietnam, Ukraine, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan. Together with four local manufacturers, the total number of exhibitors has reached 77.

In addition to the manufacturers, the organizers have invited five local judges and 59 international judges from countries such as China, Hong Kong, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Australia, Lebanon, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan. These judges will fairly and impartially evaluate the exquisite craftsmanship of the miniature model enthusiasts to determine the winners.

Representing various model associations, 14 associations from Thailand, China (Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Lanzhou, Hong Kong), Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, the Philippines, and Taiwan, along with six local Malaysian associations, are participating in this grand event to showcase the latest achievements and technologies in the miniature model field.

According to the previous records, the two-day Malaysia International Miniature Hobby Show & Competition attracts approximately 25,000 visitors. In addition to visitors from Malaysia and the aforementioned over 20 regions, last year's event saw participation from model enthusiasts from Myanmar, Italy, Brunei, New Zealand, and Poland. This year’s miniature model exhibition is sure to once again exceed expectations, filling your weekend with a dazzling array of meticulously crafted miniature models.