{
  "id": 12147495,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: Wani Kayrie to represent Malaysia at ABU Song Festival in Sri Lanka",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/showbiz-wani-kayrie-to-represent-malaysia-at-abu-song-festival-in-sri",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T12:00:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/10/1548408/showbiz-wani-kayrie-represent-malaysia-abu-song-festival-sri-lanka"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kuala Lumpur: Up-and-coming Malaysian singer Wani Kayrie will represent her country at the 15th ABU Song Festival, which will be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on November 2. The 26-year-old Sabahan was the sole artiste chosen by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) for the festival this year, a role which she views as a testament to her hard work and talent. Wani, who will be performing her hit song Cak Cak Cekuk, was taken aback by the selection. She revealed that she did not expect it, as RTM had placed her trust in her as the only artiste representing Malaysia this year. Wani emphasized that this opportunity is a significant recognition and a strong endorsement of her abilities. She highlighted that the choice of Cak Cak Cekuk was based on its popularity and unique sound, as she recently performed it at the Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL) and RTM saw its potential for the ABU stage. Sri Lanka boasts a vibrant musical culture, but Wani believes that Cak Cak Cekuk fits perfectly because it combines traditional elements with contemporary pop influences. For Wani, performing abroad is not just about delivering a great show; it's about representing Malaysia's cultural identity on the international stage. She expressed that her role extends beyond singing a track with appealing harmonies and catchy melodies; she aims to embody the spirit of Malaysian culture. Delivering an authentic representation of Malaysian culture while maintaining the song's essence is her foremost challenge. While adding a large dance troupe is being considered, Wani stressed that any addition must align with the song's core concept. She expressed that her main goal is to offer something exceptional, but the key is ensuring the sound and appearance remain distinctly Malaysian. Wani is confident that once people hear Cak Cak Cekuk, they will immediately recognize it as a Malaysian musical creation.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Popular singer Wani Kayrie is set to represent Malaysia at the 15th ABU Song Festival, set to take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Nov 2.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}