BORNEO RISING 2026: 12 POWERFUL VOICES, ONE STAGE, ONE DREAM Borneo Rising Makes a Grand Entrance as Dabra Claims the Top Spot in Week One

The stage is set, the voices are ready, and Borneo Rising 2026 has officially arrived.

Making its grand entrance in Sabah, Borneo Rising brings together 12 selected talents from Sabah and Sarawak, each carrying their own musical identity, powerful vocals and dreams of making their mark in the Borneo entertainment scene.

Presented by Astro, with CelcomDigi as the main sponsor, Borneo Rising marks a new and exciting chapter in Astro's entertainment offering, creating a dedicated platform for Borneo's emerging vocal talents to shine on a major stage.

The opening week delivered a spectacular introduction to the competition, with the judges' panel themselves taking to the stage for a special LIVE performance, transforming the premiere into a celebration of music, artistry and entertainment. The energy was unmistakable as the three judges stepped away from their judging seats and into the spotlight.

Dabra Dominates Week One

Amid the excitement, Dabra emerged as the standout performer of the first week, taking the top position on the leaderboard.

Performing “Wicked Game,” originally recorded by Chris Isaak, Dabra impressed the permanent judging panel and secured an overall score of 78.95%.

Dabra's winning night continued with another major achievement, taking home RM1,000 after being selected as the winner of “Persembahan Paling Power” (Most Powerful Performance), a special segment sponsored by CelcomDigi.

Meanwhile, Petrova and Syukri secured the remaining positions in the top three, recording 76.92% and 72.28%, respectively.

A Dramatic First Week

The opening “This Is Me” week also brought its share of suspense, with Faris, Rizzani and Aadel finding themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard after receiving the lowest overall scores.

In a dramatic last-minute decision, however, the judges chose to save Faris, allowing him to continue his journey in the competition.

For Rizzani and Aadel, the pressure now intensifies. The two contestants will face one another in a battle round during Week Two, where the judges will determine who deserves to remain in the competition.

The judges have the authority to save contestants and determine who enters the battle round, adding another layer of unpredictability to the competition.

Three Powerhouse Judges

The Borneo Rising judging panel brings together three established names in Malaysian music: Noh Salleh, Marsha Milan and Shila Amzah.

Beyond their role as judges, the trio also made a memorable impact during the premiere with their LIVE performance on stage, setting an energetic tone for the weeks ahead.

The competition will be determined through a combination of 80% professional judges' scores and 20% public voting.

For audiences, voting is designed to be simple and accessible through WhatsApp, without the need to download an additional application. Viewers can scan the designated QR code, select their preferred contestant and voting amount, with credit top-ups through CelcomDigi available at any time.

With public voting accounting for 20% of the final result, viewers will have a meaningful role in determining which voices continue their journey.

Meet the 12 Borneo Rising Talents

The inaugural season brings together 12 contestants representing different parts of Sabah and Sarawak:

• Dabra – Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

• Jecinta – Miri, Sarawak

• Petrova – Papar, Sabah

• Harris – Kuching, Sarawak

• Syukri – Kinabatangan, Sabah

• Aadel – Kuching, Sarawak

• Afiq – Sandakan, Sabah

• Michelle – Landu, Sarawak

• Joy – Sandakan, Sabah

• Faris – Kuching, Sarawak

• Harvard – Penampang, Sabah

• Rizzani – Tawau, Sabah

Together, these 12 talented vocalists represent the diverse musical landscape of Borneo, bringing different backgrounds, personalities and vocal styles to one competitive stage.

More Than a Singing Competition

The stakes extend beyond simply winning a weekly performance.

The eventual Borneo Rising champion will have the opportunity to receive a new single and music video, digital content production, marketing and promotional support, as well as exposure across Astro's television, radio and digital platforms.

The winner will also receive tour sponsorship and a tour opportunity from Astro, potentially opening the door to a much bigger career in the entertainment industry.

The programmed is further supported by RTM as Strategic Broadcasting Partner, Astro Gempak as Digital Partner, and ERA Sabah and ERA Sarawak as Official Radio Partners.

Eight Weeks of Live Entertainment

Hosted by Zizan Razak and Sherry Al-Hadad, Borneo Rising 2026 runs for eight weeks, from 6 September until 25 October 2026.

The show broadcasts LIVE every Sunday at 9:00 PM from ITCC Mall, Penampang, Sabah, on Astro Ria (Channel 104) and TV Okey (Channel 146).

Audiences can also stream the programmed On Demand through Astro GO, Sooka and RTMKlik.

With 12 powerful voices, a formidable judging panel, LIVE performances, public voting and the possibility of career-changing opportunities, Borneo Rising 2026 has made a confident and spectacular debut.

And after Dabra's commanding Week One performance, the question now hangs in the air:

Who will rise next?