TEE.F.DEE 2026 kicks off in Kuching
- BT
- May 21
- 3 min read
KUCHING, 21 May 2026: The inaugural TEE.F.DEE 2026 (The Friendship Diplomacy) kick-started today at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here and runs until May 23. The three-day event brings together participants from across ASEAN and is aimed especially at Gen Z audiences, young creatives, and emerging entrepreneurs.
Organised by The Sophie's Choice Sdn Bhd and Kaizen Quality Sdn Bhd, with Andy Manuhutu as Creative Director, the event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), Sarawak Craft Council, and Indonesia's Ministry for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, along with industry partners AVLIAS (Singapore), APAVMI (Indonesia), and ALIFE.
TEE.F.DEE 2026 was launched this morning at BCCK in a ceremony graced by MTCP’s Permanent Secretary, Morshidi Fredrick. Also present was the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Dr. Abdullah Zulkifli.
Speaking to media at the event, Andy said the goal of this event was to bring a vital industry to Sarawak’s doorstep.
“This is an industry that is very important for the development of the nation, especially for the next generation,” he said, adding that the aim is the integration of technology, the creative industry, and education, upon what The Friendship Diplomacy is built.
Manuhutu hopes that integration will extend beyond borders, drawing in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and beyond, and that Sarawak is the right place to start.
“Sarawak has a very strategic geographic position. Everything is close, and Sarawak sits right next door to Kalimantan,” Andy said.
He added that the ambition is to grow outward from this foundation.
“What we are doing in Kuching shows how Indonesia and Sarawak can work together through the friendship diplomacy,” he continued.
“I am very thankful to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak for their tremendous support and collaboration, and also to the Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Bapak Dr. Abdullah Zulkifli, who has been a tremendous supporter of what we are doing,” Andy said.
On the question of frequency, he was candid about the scale of the undertaking. TEE.F.DEE is envisioned as a biennial event, remaining anchored in Sarawak.
“We would like this to happen perhaps every two years because the preparation involved is simply too significant for anything more frequent than that,” he said, adding that the event will always be held in Sarawak.
TEE.F.DEE aims to position Sarawak as a key regional hub for creative industries, cultural exchange, and international collaboration, while opening up opportunities for local businesses, youth, and talent.
It includes four sections, namely SEAMEX, an audio-visual and lighting industry exhibition; CRAFTXIBITION, a craft and creative business showcase; BEATROOT Festival, a live music programme; and COLLAB-HUB, a digital art and music platform.
Three panel discussions are also on the programme, moderated by Dato Ambran Abu Bakar and David Seow: including one earlier today on Smart Workspace Reimagined: Where Collaboration Meets AV Innovation Solutions; Design Meaningful & Inclusive Worship Experiences (22 May, 2–3pm); and Designing Immersive Spaces: Where Music, Culture & AV Technology Converge (22 May, 3–4pm).
For music lovers, the BEATROOT Festival will feature SonaOne, Shigga Shay, Saykoji, Teza Sumendra, and Juan Reza (known for his viral hit Tabola Bale and appearing in Sarawak for the first time). Tickets are on sale via official TEE.F.DEE channels and the BBO Events platform.
