GEORGE TOWN, May 8 — Penang is set to welcome the world’s top miniature modelling talent this June as it hosts the 10th edition of the Malaysia International Miniature Hobby Show and Competition (MIMHS – MALCOM), a landmark event in the global scale-modelling calendar.
Scheduled to take place from June 14 to 15 at the St Giles Wembley Hotel, the show is expected to draw more than 650 registered participants from across five continents, with numbers likely to climb further through walk-ins and mail-in entries. Organisers anticipate a record-breaking turnout, following last year’s edition which attracted over 20,000 visitors.
Speaking at a press conference held at Komtar on Wednesday morning, Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai said the event underscored Penang’s growing prominence as a hub for major cultural and creative tourism events.
“This gathering is not only about artistry and precision but about community and the celebration of craftsmanship,” Wong said. “It exemplifies our broader vision to position Penang as a centre of creative excellence on the world stage.”
Now in its tenth year, MIMHS – MALCOM has evolved into Southeast Asia’s foremost miniature modelling event, regularly mentioned in the same breath as international giants such as the Moson Model Show in Hungary, Scale Model Challenge in the Netherlands, Thailand’s AK Interactive International Competition, Guangzhou’s Model World Saga, and the iconic Shizuoka Hobby Show in Japan.
This year’s show will feature an impressive lineup of over 80 manufacturers, including some of the industry’s most recognisable global brands. Representatives from 10 international modelling associations are also slated to attend, alongside participants and judges from 24 countries and regions — among them Australia, China, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, and Vietnam.
Visitors can expect a vibrant display of model artistry ranging from military miniatures to sci-fi staples like Gundam and Star Wars, as well as intricate dioramas that merge storytelling with technical finesse. The exhibition will run from 10:00am to 5:30pm on both days, with free admission for the public.
Adding further depth to the programme are a series of masterclasses led by world-renowned miniature artists. These hands-on workshops will offer insights into advanced techniques such as hand-painting, airbrushing, weathering, diorama construction, and model customization.
For organiser Choo Huang Ming, founder of World Hobby Miniatures and the visionary behind the event, the show’s continued growth is a testament to the dedication of a passionate global community.
“The miniature modelling world is incredibly diverse, yet united by a shared pursuit of excellence and creativity,” he said. “Bringing this international community to Penang not only inspires but creates cultural and economic value.”
As Penang continues to push forward its creative economy agenda, events like MIMHS – MALCOM are helping to redefine the island’s global image — not just as a destination for food and heritage, but as a beacon for artistic innovation.
