KRU expands cultural footprint in Shah Alam

 

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. 

The initiative is part of a larger vision to transform the destination into a vibrant lifestyle and cultural hub where audiences can experience performances, food, heritage, arts and entrepreneurship in one space. 

At the heart of the programme is Kayangan, a signature weekly cultural experience that combines traditional Malay cuisine curated by Datuk Chef Zam with storytelling, live music, dance, visual elements and theatrical performances. 

Its inaugural production, titled 'Hikayat Nusantara', will take audiences on a journey through the history and culture of the Nusantara (the Malay Archipelago), bringing together different forms of traditional and contemporary presentation. 

Beginning Sept 4, Kayangan will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, making it a regular fixture at Aneka Walk rather than a one-off cultural showcase. 

TOURIST ATTRACTION

KRU Entertainment hopes the production will develop into a cultural tourism attraction capable of drawing not only Shah Alam residents, but also visitors from across Malaysia and international tourists. 

For KRU Entertainment president and chief executive officer Datuk Norman Abdul Halim, consistent programming will be crucial to the venue's long-term appeal. 

"Today, we are not merely introducing Aneka Walk, but what visitors can look forward to here over the coming months," he says. 

"A total of 18 events have been planned through the end of 2026, with each offering a different experience and appealing to different audiences." 

The line-up will span music, arts, culture, gastronomy, entertainment, as well as family and community activities. 

Among the traditional elements are performances such as 'wayang kulit' and 'joget lambak', allowing audiences to appreciate various forms of Malaysian heritage alongside more contemporary entertainment. 

The intention, says Norman, is to create a destination where visitors will have a reason to return regularly rather than simply attend a single event.

BEYOND THE KRU BRAND 

That wider vision also reflects Norman's belief that KRU should no longer be viewed solely through the achievements of the three Abdul Halim brothers — he, Datuk Yusry and Edry. 

While the trio remain closely associated with the KRU brand, Norman sees the company as a broader creative platform capable of working with artistes, performers, filmmakers, entrepreneurs and other industry players. 

"Don't look at KRU as just the three of us. KRU is much bigger," Norman says. "We'll collaborate with artistes who are under our wings. It doesn't have to be limited to the three of us." 

He adds that KRU is open to giving other artistes opportunities to perform, organise programmes, run businesses and operate booths during events at Aneka Walk. 

The emphasis on collaboration extends to the venue's commercial offering. 

Aneka Walk, part of the SA Sentral development, covers 4,500sq m and stretches 300m, with capacity for up to 3,000 visitors. 

It has 150 business lots catering to food, fashion, crafts, arts and music, creating space for entrepreneurs and creative practitioners to build their own audiences alongside KRU's programming. 

Temasya Aneka will also introduce some of the destination's first tenants, including Kek Lapis Warisan, which highlights 'kek lapis' as a local heritage product, and KRU Cafe, which will open its first outlet at Aneka Walk. 

Together with the cultural programming, the businesses are intended to create an environment where food, retail, performance and heritage complement one another. 

ECONOMIC ROLE 

The project is also expected to play an economic role. 

Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) group chief executive officer Datuk Mahmud Abbas says Aneka Walk is being developed not merely as a place for visitors to spend time, but also as a platform for building a community of traders and opening new economic opportunities, particularly for Bumiputera entrepreneurs. 

"PKNS built Aneka Walk to attract people. With Aneka Walk, it is not only about people coming to enjoy the atmosphere, but also about building a community of traders through activities." 

He notes that its location near shopping centres, the PKNS Complex, Taman Tasik Shah Alam, hotels and commercial areas gives the destination an advantage in attracting visitors. 

For Norman, the cultural push at Aneka Walk represents another way for KRU to use its experience in entertainment to create opportunities for others. 

Rather than keeping the spotlight exclusively on its own productions, the company wants the venue to become a meeting point for different creative communities. 

SOLO PROJECTS 

Though both Yusry and Edry are working on their own solo ventures, Norman is not worried about catching up with them. 

With a characteristic joke, he says he is happy to let his younger brothers go first, just like they did when it came to marriage. 

"I let my younger brothers go first. I used to want them to get married quickly, so they got married before me. I was the last one," he says. "So, it's the same with solo projects. Let them go first." 

For now, Norman's focus is less on stepping out alone and more on building a larger stage for others. 

Through Aneka Walk, KRU is betting that culture, heritage, entertainment and entrepreneurship can come together to create a destination that is not only commercially viable, but also rooted in the communities and traditions it seeks to celebrate. 

The Temasya Aneka programme is expected to continue into 2027 through a collaboration between PKNS and KRU Entertainment.

-nst online.