Siti Nurhaliza’s domination, haze concerns and Borneo spotlight: Here’s what to expect at AIM25 this Saturday

The 25th edition of the Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) is set to take place on September 26 in Sarawak, marking a new milestone for Malaysia's premier music awards ceremony. The event will be hosted at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), a first for the annual celebration. This move comes as Sarawak continues to face challenges in combating transboundary haze, which has affected the state's air quality.

Despite the environmental concerns, AIM organisers are hopeful that the situation will improve in time for the awards. The event will feature 135 finalists across 32 categories, with the Best Borneo Song and Best Festive Song categories introduced for the first time. The Best Borneo Song category recognizes outstanding musical works celebrating the cultures, languages, and traditions of Sabah and Sarawak, while the Best Festive Song category honors songs that capture the joy, values, and traditions of Malaysia's multicultural celebrations.

Siti Nurhaliza leads the nominations, securing 14 nods across eight categories, including Best Female Vocal for her song "Kesuma" and Best Album for her album "Gema Bumantara". Other prominent nominees include Aisha Retno with six nominations and the boy group Alpha with four nominations.