{
  "id": 5224563,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: KRU expands cultural footprint in Shah Alam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/showbiz-kru-expands-cultural-footprint-in-shah-alam",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T02:20:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/09/1524730/showbiz-kru-expands-cultural-footprint-shah-alam"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KRU Entertainment is expanding its cultural reach in Shah Alam, Malaysia, with a series of 18 events at Aneka Walk through the end of 2026. The initiative aims to transform the area into a vibrant lifestyle and cultural hub, offering performances, food, heritage, arts, and entrepreneurship in one space.\n\nAt the core of the program is Kayangan, a weekly cultural experience led by Datuk Chef Zam. It combines traditional Malay cuisine, storytelling, live music, dance, visual elements, and theatrical performances. The inaugural show, titled Hikayat Nusantara, will explore the history and culture of the Malay Archipelago from September 4, running every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night.\n\nKRU Entertainment president and CEO Datuk Norman Abdul Halim emphasizes the importance of consistent programming to maintain the venue's appeal. The lineup spans various entertainment forms, including music, arts, culture, gastronomy, family activities, and community events. Traditional elements like wayang kulit and joget lambak will be interwoven with contemporary entertainment to create a diverse experience for visitors.\n\nNorman also envisions KRU as a broader creative platform, collaborating with various artists and entrepreneurs beyond the three Abdul Halim brothers. The venue's 4,500 sqm space at Aneka Walk, part of the SA Sentral development, has 150 business lots for food, fashion, crafts, arts, and music, providing opportunities for local entrepreneurs and creative practitioners to showcase their work alongside KRU's programming.\n\nThe project, led by Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) group CEO Datuk Mahmud Abbas, aims to foster a community of traders and create economic opportunities, particularly for Bumiputera entrepreneurs. The cultural programming and businesses at Aneka Walk are designed to complement each other, creating an environment where food, retail, performance, and heritage intersect.\n\nFor Norman, the cultural push at Aneka Walk represents an opportunity for KRU to support other creative communities. The venue is expected to continue its cultural programming through 2027 in collaboration with PKNS.",
  "summary": "KRU Entertainment is broadening its creative footprint beyond music and film with an ambitious push into culture, entertainment and community programming, unveiling 18 events at Aneka Walk in Shah Alam through the end of the year.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Two plastic waste warehouses destroyed in Shah Alam fire, premises had no fire safety system",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/two-plastic-waste-warehouses-destroyed-in-shah-alam-fire-premises-had",
        "published": "2026-09-03T01:29:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}