By V. Sivaji
Growing from strength to strength, home-grown event, the World Miniature Hobby Show (WMHS) & Malaysia Competition (MALCOM) 2026 edition has become to be one of the biggest showcases in the Southeast Asian region.
More so, this time around, the event will be held at a bigger venue – the Setia SPICE Convention Centre from June 13 and 14, 2026.
Leading a press conference to announce details of the event was State Exco for Tourism & Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai who was accompanied by Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) Chief Executive Officer, Ashwin Gunasekeran and Choo Huang Ming owner of World Hobby Miniatures and organising chairman.
Participants from 26 countries and regions, including Australia, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Russia, the Philippines, Venezuela, the United States, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Vietnam, Myanmar, the Netherlands, Macau, Lebanon, France, Bangladesh and Brunei will gather here.
“The event has attracted more than 400 participants, alongside 85 professional judges and over 100 exhibitors. Some 30,000 hobbyists are expected to attend this year. thus setting a new record for the event.
“The event has earned a distinguished reputation within the international modelling scene and now stands alongside some of the world’s most respected model exhibitions and competitions, including the Hungary Moson Model Show, the Scale Model Challenge in the Netherlands, the AK Interactive International Competition Thailand, Model World Saga in Guangzhou, China, and the Shizuoka Hobby Show in Japan.
“The Penang State Government remains committed to promoting the creative economy and has been a strong supporter of MALCOM for many years. Our vision is to develop Penang’s own signature creative and cultural events while positioning the state as a regional hub for niche and hobby-based tourism. Notably, MALCOM is among the few internationally recognised model exhibitions in the world that enjoy direct government support, reflecting Penang’s commitment to nurturing creative industries and specialised tourism sectors,” shared Wong in his speech.
Meanwhile Ashwin added that over the years, the gathering has grown leaps and bounds and is being held out of a hotel for the first time.
” I also congratulate Choo in his efforts in promoting the event on a global scale with the support of PCEB and the state government,” he added..
One of the major highlights of this year’s event is the introduction of new competition categories, including Mecha/Maschinen Krieger and Anime & Garage Kit, further expanding the show’s appeal to hobbyists and collectors across different genres and skill levels.
Visitors can also enjoy free daily stage demonstrations by world-class artists from around the globe, with no registration required. In addition, families will have the opportunity to explore the Junior’s Corner, a hands-on activity zone where children can assemble model kits and experience the joy of miniature hobbies in a fun and interactive setting.
Also present at the ceremony was assemblyman YB Wong Yuee Harng, Ms Shelly Lo, Senior Manager of Setia SPICE Convention Centre among others.
Admission to the event is priced at RM10 for both days, making it an accessible and family-friendly outing for hobby enthusiasts, collectors, and the general public alike.
