Some stories belong so deeply to a nation’s imagination that time cannot diminish their hold on its people.
Puteri Gunung Ledang is one of them.
Rooted in the rich traditions of Malay folklore, the timeless tale of love, loyalty and sacrifice has captivated generations of Malaysians. Its characters, its music and its deeply human emotions have become part of the country’s cultural consciousness.
Twenty years after its theatrical debut, the celebrated musical has returned to the Malaysian stage to an extraordinary reception.
All 23,000 tickets were snapped up within two hours of going on sale, with more than 22,000 people still waiting in the online queue.
The response was a powerful affirmation of the place that Malaysian stories continue to hold in the hearts of the people.
When the curtain rose on 31 October, the production found a new home at the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre (JCPAC), a RM200 million investment by Sunway Group at Sunway Square, the latest integrated complex in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur.
Behind the centre is the vision of Sunway founder and chairman Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, whose belief in the importance of culture, education and community has shaped much of his life’s work.
For Cheah, the return of Puteri Gunung Ledang carries a meaning that extends well beyond the success of a single production.
It represents something he has long believed in, that Malaysia possesses an abundance of artistic talent, a rich cultural inheritance and stories worthy of the world’s finest stages.
What its artists need are the opportunities, resources and encouragement to fulfil that promise.
A Malaysian vision, rooted in a love for the country
Cheah has spent more than five decades building businesses and communities in Malaysia. His conviction that the country’s progress must be measured by more than economic prosperity has informed his longstanding commitment to education, healthcare and sustainable development.
The performing arts are a natural extension of that philosophy.
He believes that a truly flourishing nation must also provide room for imagination, cultural expression and the preservation of the traditions that give its people a sense of identity and belonging.
Malaysia’s strength, in his view, lies in its people and the richness of the cultures they bring to the nation.
From Malay theatre and traditional dance to Chinese opera, Indian classical performances and contemporary Malaysian productions, these artistic traditions form part of the country’s shared cultural landscape.
Each deserves the opportunity to be appreciated, nurtured and passed on to future generations.
JCPAC was conceived with that inclusive Malaysian spirit at its heart.
At its official opening on 16 October, Cheah spoke of the importance of supporting Malaysian artists with the same seriousness and commitment accorded to education and scientific research.
I firmly believe that Malaysian artistes deserve the opportunity to learn and develop their craft on the finest stages.
With the right support, facilities and encouragement, there’s no limit to what they can achieve,” he said.
His words reflected a simple but important belief that talent should be given the opportunity to flourish, regardless of background, and the arts should have a meaningful place in the lives of all Malaysians.
The centre’s 1,200-seat Grand Theatre, equipped with sophisticated immersive sound and acoustic technology, provides the scale and technical capabilities for major theatrical productions. Its adjoining 150-seat Studio offers a more intimate setting for emerging talent and experimental work.
Together, they provide a platform for established performers and a new generation of artists seeking to build their careers.
For Cheah, the investment is ultimately about people.
A young dancer finding the confidence to perform before an audience. A musician discovering that a career in the arts is within reach. A playwright seeing a distinctly Malaysian story brought to life before a full theatre.
These are the possibilities he hopes JCPAC will help create.
Honouring a Malay masterpiece, inspiring a new generation
Few productions could have marked the centre’s arrival more meaningfully than Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical.
First staged in 2006, the musical transformed one of the Malay world’s most treasured legends into a theatrical production of exceptional scale and ambition.
Produced by Enfiniti Productions, the Malaysian theatre and entertainment company founded by Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, the musical demonstrated how a story deeply rooted in Malaysia’s own cultural heritage could speak to contemporary audiences through music, theatre and dance.
Its return in 2026 brings together some of Malaysia’s most accomplished performers and rising stars, including Aisha Retno, Mila Mohsin, Aqasha, Mimi Fly and Nadia Aqilah.
The revival introduces the story to younger audiences while allowing those who remember the original production to experience its magic anew.
There is something especially meaningful about a new generation of Malaysian artists bringing fresh interpretations to characters that have lived in the nation’s imagination for centuries.
That continuity, between tradition and reinvention, memory and discovery, is precisely what makes cultural investment so important.
The revival also grew out of a personal connection.
Tiara had previously regarded Puteri Gunung Ledang as a chapter that had come to a close. It was the encouragement of JCPAC director Melissa Teoh, who subsequently became her co-executive producer, that helped persuade her to bring the production back.
The collaboration between JCPAC and Enfiniti Productions demonstrates what can happen when Malaysia’s creative talent receives the support of institutions that share its ambitions.
Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, Chief Dream Maker of Enfiniti, said:
Puteri Gunung Ledang has always been more than a musical to me. It is a celebration of who we are as Malaysians — our history, our heritage, our imagination, and our extraordinary ability to tell stories that move hearts across generations.
“To bring this beloved production back to the stage after 20 years, and to witness the overwhelming love and anticipation it has received from Malaysians, has been profoundly moving. It reminds me that our stories matter. That they endure. And that when we tell them with passion, courage and excellence, they have the power to transcend generations, cultures and borders.
We have spent over two decades championing Malaysian stories, nurturing homegrown talent and pushing the boundaries of what Malaysian creative productions can achieve.
I have always believed that Malaysia possesses extraordinary creative talent. What we need are more people with the vision to recognise that talent, the courage to invest in it, and the conviction to give it the stage it deserves.
“This is why I have such tremendous respect and appreciation for Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah. His commitment to education, the arts and the development of human potential reflects an understanding that building a great nation is about so much more than building great institutions or infrastructure. It is also about nurturing the minds, imagination and creative spirit of its people,” she added.
“For those of us who have dedicated our lives to building Malaysia’s creative industry, having visionary leaders like Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah believe in the power of the arts makes all the difference.“
”JCPAC represents exactly the kind of investment in our cultural future that Malaysia needs. It is more than a performing arts centre. It is a platform for dreams to take flight, for talent to be discovered and nurtured, and for stories that define us as Malaysians to come alive.“
“My hope is that JCPAC will inspire a new generation of Malaysian artists, creators and storytellers to dream bigger, aim higher, and believe that they too can create work that stands proudly alongside the best in the world.
“Because a nation’s greatness is measured not only by what it builds, but also by what it inspires its people to create.
“And when we invest in the arts, we are not simply investing in performances. We are investing in the imagination, identity and legacy of a nation,” she said.
A home for the arts, a place for all Malaysians
The significance of JCPAC lies in its ambition to become more than a venue for performances.
Situated alongside Sunway University and Sunway Medical Centre in the heart of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, the performing arts centre brings the performing arts into the everyday life of a community where people live, study, work and raise their families.
It is a place where children can encounter the wonder of live theatre, where students can explore their creative interests and where families can gather to enjoy stories that speak to their experiences and cultural roots.
Its inaugural programme reflects this diversity, with productions ranging from Puteri Gunung Ledang to The Butterfly Lovers and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
For Cheah, the richness of Malaysia’s cultural traditions should be a source of collective pride.
A Malay legend can move audiences of different backgrounds. A performance rooted in another community’s traditions can invite Malaysians to discover and appreciate a culture beyond their own.
In these shared experiences, the arts can quietly strengthen the understanding and mutual respect upon which a harmonious society depends.
It is a vision grounded in Cheah’s belief that everyone has a part to play in building a better Malaysia, and that the country’s future belongs to all its people.
His commitment to JCPAC reflects the same spirit that has guided his investments in education, where a willingness to provide opportunities today whose greatest value may only become apparent to future generations.
The extraordinary success of Puteri Gunung Ledang offers an encouraging beginning.
It shows that Malaysians have a deep affection for their own stories, that homegrown productions can command extraordinary public interest, and that the country’s creative industry has enormous potential when talent is matched by sustained support.
There will be other productions, other artists and other stories in the years ahead.
Some will draw upon Malaysia’s centuries-old traditions. Others will reflect the lives, aspirations and concerns of a changing society.
Each will contribute, in its own way, to the country’s cultural life.
And that, perhaps, is the greater meaning of Cheah’s investment.
The building bears his name, but the stage belongs to the artists, the stories and the people of Malaysia.
As Puteri Gunung Ledang begins another chapter in its celebrated history, JCPAC offers the promise of many more to come.
For a man who has devoted much of his life to building communities in Malaysia, it is another expression of his faith in the country he calls home, that its people deserve the best opportunities, its cultures deserve to be cherished, and its stories deserve to be heard.
About the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre
The Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre (JCPAC) is a landmark, purpose-built performing arts venue in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur.
Envisioned as one of Southeast Asia’s foremost cultural institutions, it was established by Sunway Group to serve as a dedicated home for the performing arts.
Situated within Sunway Square, JCPAC features two signature spaces: The Grand Theatre, a 1,200-seat auditorium equipped with Malaysia’s first Active Acoustic system, and The Studio, an intimate 150-seat performance space designed for versatility and innovation.
With a programme spanning Malaysian and international productions, JCPAC brings world class performances to local audiences while offering a platform for Malaysian talent to engage with the global stage.
Named in honour of Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Sir Dr. Jeffrey Cheah KBE AO, JCPAC reflects his conviction that the arts and humanities are essential to a well-rounded education and a vital pillar of the dynamic ecosystem in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur.
