KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian-Filipina singer-songwriter Yazmin Aziz brought a taste of Sabah to Central Asia when she performed “Sayang Kinabalu” in the Silk Way Star international music competition in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Dressed in an elegant ethno-inspired gown decorated with traditional Sabah motifs, the 24-year-old lit up Episode 5 of the show, which was aired recently.
Two dancers joined her on stage as a panoramic image of Mount Kinabalu towered on the screen behind her, completing the Sabah scene.
The catchy rhythm proved irresistible, with jury members clapping, dancing and swaying along — clearly caught in Yazmin’s “Kinabalu groove.”“This performance is dedicated to my Sabahan supporters who have always been there for me, and I am so grateful to still be in the running for the finals of Silk Way Star,” Yazmin said in a social media post, adding cheekily, “Thank you to all the judges who danced with me.”The singer, who has never been shy about expressing her love for Sabah, often features references to the State in her social media posts.
No stranger to the spotlight, Yazmin has competed in several music contests including Big Stage Season 4 and has worked with artists in Malaysia and the Philippines.
Her growing discography of singles showcases her versatility as both a performer and content creator.
Silk Way Star, the competition she is part of, is a collaborative music project between Kazakhstan and China featuring 12 singers from 12 nations.
The show, which premiered on Sept 20 on Jibek Joly TV, is being touted as a new cultural bridge for Eurasia.
Participating countries include Azerbaijan, Armenia, China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Each contestant performs in 10 themed episodes that highlight national heritage through music, dance, and costume.
The grand finale, set for Nov 22, will air live across partner channels with the winner decided through a mix of jury votes (50 per cent) and online audience participation (50 per cent).
The Silk Way Star is designed not only as a vocal competition but also as a cultural bridge connecting nations and fostering creative collaborations.
Episodes of the show, including Yazmin’s “Sayang Kinabalu” performance, are available on Jibek Joly TV’s official YouTube channel.