Kota Kinabalu to Host Malaysia’s First Kongsi Raya Carnival in February 2026

From left: Dr h.c. Azeeza Jalaludeen, Founder and Managing Director; Chef Dion Jee, President of the Borneo Culinary Association Sabah & Sarawak; Dr Brandon Chin, Founder and CEO, Organising Chairman of Borneo Referral Group Sdn Bhd; Lys Andin, Co-organiser and Honorary Secretary of the Sabah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Dewan Perniagaan & Industri Sabah); Rice Chong, Vice-President and Director of Corporate and Government Affairs, Borneo Culinary Association Sabah & Sarawak; and Belinda, Admin Executive, Borneo Referral Group Sdn Bhd.

4 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will host Malaysia’s first-ever Kongsi Raya Carnival from 6 to 8 February 2026 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), in an event aimed at celebrating unity, cultural diversity, and harmonious living.

According to organising chairman Dr Brandon Chin, the three-day carnival is designed to position Sabah as a model of multicultural harmony while increasing its visibility within the ASEAN region.

“The Kongsi Raya Carnival is more than a celebration, it is a statement of who we are as Sabahans,” Dr Chin who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Borneo Referral Sdn Bhd said.

“Sabah has long been a symbol of unity in diversity, and this carnival allows us to showcase that spirit not only to Malaysia, but to the wider ASEAN community.”

One of the main highlights of the carnival will be an attempt to create the longest Kongsi Raya Muhibbah Yee Sang, measuring 1,500 metres, scheduled to take place on 7 February 2026 at 2pm at Kinabatangan Hall 1 and 2, Level 2, SICC.

Dr Chin said the symbolic Yee Sang event represents collective harmony and shared prosperity.

“Yee Sang is traditionally about togetherness and good fortune. By extending it to 1,500 metres and involving people from all backgrounds, we are reinforcing the message of muhibbah and unity,” he said, adding that they expected to make it into the ASEAN Book of Records.

The event is expected to be graced by Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, Chief Minister of Sabah, along with consulate representatives from Indonesia, Japan, and Korea, association leaders, business leaders, and students from universities, colleges, and high schools.

About 600 participants are expected to take part in the Yee Sang tossing ceremony alone.

Dr Chin added that strong public participation is anticipated throughout the carnival, particularly during the Adabi showcase on Friday and the Muhibbah Yee Sang event on Saturday.

“We are preparing 4,500 boxes of Yee Sang to be distributed to the public, and we expect a very strong turnout across all three days,” he said.

In addition to the record attempt, the carnival will feature a wide range of cultural and community activities, including a Cheongsam showcase and competition, Raya competitions, an Adabi Teh Tarik competition, a fastest eater contest, AI insights by a Singaporean TikToker, children’s dance performances, as well as lion dance and kompang performances.

“This carnival reflects the real Sabah, diverse, inclusive, and forward-looking,” Dr Lee said. “We invite the public and media to join us in making this a historic and meaningful celebration.”