ASEAN Records is proud to officially recognise the Mari Ong Money Come CNY Carnival (Kaki Group x Ecolite x Herbology x IFood) for achieving a significant national milestone as the: Largest Chinese New Year Carnival by Booth Count Featuring Indoor Expo and Outdoor Bazaar with 10-Day Fireworks Displays and a One-Night Charity Reunion Dinner for Underprivileged Beneficiaries (187 registered indoor expo booths; 154 registered outdoor bazaar booths).
This recognition affirms the carnival’s exceptional scale, integrated event planning, and its successful fusion of commerce, culture, entertainment, and social responsibility—setting a new benchmark for large-scale Chinese New Year celebrations in Malaysia.
A New Model for Contemporary Chinese New Year Celebrations
Held from 30 January to 8 February 2026 at Stadium Bukit Jalil Open Carpark B, the Mari Ong Money Come CNY Carnival redefined festive celebrations by seamlessly integrating an indoor professional food expo (11:00 AM–11:00 PM) with an outdoor cultural bazaar (4:00 PM–11:00 PM).
Beyond its record-setting booth count, the carnival featured ten consecutive days of fireworks displays, live music performances, cultural showcases, and a specially organised charity reunion dinner for underprivileged beneficiaries—reinforcing the belief that large-scale festive celebrations can deliver both economic vibrancy and social impact.
The event successfully attracted diverse audiences across generations, offering a festive environment where families, youths, and communities could gather to celebrate the Lunar New Year through shared experiences, cultural engagement, and collective joy.
A Milestone Moment of Recognition
The ASEAN Records certificate was officially presented on 1 February 2026 at Stadium Bukit Jalil Open Carpark B, Kuala Lumpur.
The recognition was received on stage by Wong Thong Yee, Founder of Myeatkaki (a brand under Kaki Group), Huang Jin Ten (Alex), Group CEO of Ecolite, Dicky Lee, Managing Director of IFood, and Lim Kai Ling (Sky), Operation Manager of Herbology, representing the collaborative leadership behind this landmark Chinese New Year carnival.
Voices of Leadership
Reflecting on the vision behind the carnival, Alex Huang, CEO of Ecolite Group, shared that since 2025, the Group has embraced a more open and collaborative approach—bringing together brands and social partners with the belief that meaningful cross-industry collaboration, grounded in shared values, can turn once-unlikely ideas into reality.
“Chinese New Year is not merely a peak sales season—it is a time for emotional connection and the transmission of values,” he said.
Alex added that Ecolite has long moved beyond conventional sponsorship models, having curated its own Chinese New Year initiatives annually as part of the brand’s sustained commitment to cultural engagement.
He expressed sincere appreciation for the trust and invitation extended by Myeatkaki (Kaki Group). From the outset, both parties shared a clear and unified vision in their interpretation of Chinese New Year culture and its social significance. Guided by this alignment, the collaboration came together seamlessly—culminating in Mari Ong Money Come, a Chinese New Year carnival brought to life through creativity, cultural depth, and a genuine sense of warmth.
Echoing this perspective, Wong Thong Yee, Founder of Myeatkaki, shared that the intention behind the carnival was to reimagine Chinese New Year celebrations beyond traditional formats, making them more diverse, youthful, and participatory. As lifestyles evolve, she noted, younger generations increasingly value interaction, immersive experiences, and celebrations that bring the whole family together.
By integrating a professional food expo, market culture, live music, cultural heritage elements, and social care initiatives, the team sought to create a New Year celebration that feels uniquely Malaysian—one where visitors do more than shop or watch performances, but truly experience a festive atmosphere rooted in shared culture and community spirit.
She added that the ASEAN Records recognition not only affirms the carnival’s scale, but also reinforces the organising team’s commitment to balancing size with warmth, ensuring inclusivity, cultural authenticity, and social responsibility remain at the heart of the celebration.
Celebrating Scale with Purpose
A key highlight of the carnival was its charity reunion dinner, organised to bring together underprivileged beneficiaries for a shared New Year meal—reflecting the organisers’ belief that festive celebrations are only complete when joy and togetherness are shared with the wider community.
With over 300 combined booths, diverse programming, and strong public participation throughout the ten-day celebration, the Mari Ong Money Come CNY Carnival stands as one of Malaysia’s most impactful Chinese New Year events of 2026—demonstrating the country’s ability to deliver large-scale festive celebrations with cultural depth, execution excellence, and meaningful social impact.
