So last night, I watched all the performances of Eurovision Asia 2026 mainly to see how our Malaysian representative, Aina Abdul, fare against all the other performers. My other half was surprised at how I was invested in watching the full show (I rarely do this). Aina Abdul did not win and got only the fourth place.You can watch her performance hereand form your own opinion on it.
Congratulations to Philippines (Carmelle) for being the winner.and the other performers for putting up the show. Congratulations to Aina and her team for putting up a very good performance. The staging was great and of course, there are the usual comments of extravagance, but those who have seen her perform before, this is pretty normal (though I will comment on this matter later in a different perspective). Another criticism on the song that has been mentioned in some reactions is that the song lacks some peaking moments. Perhaps not often realised by others that the song has a three-minute constraint. With the slower build-up of a ballad while maintaining continuity (not sounding like a hodge podge of sounds) is a challenge. Note added: Just saw this morning, a (Western) reaction to Aina's final performance, making a remark that the person hopes that Aina will not do so well. Later the person even made the remark that this is the first time the person sees an 'Islamic' nation entering the competition. Sometimes, I wonder.
Anyway, I actually quite like the song Bluest Skies, instilling some Malay sounds (not just the traditional instrunents but the subtle Malay sway of the vocals) but yet listenable to Western ears. The song was composed by Aina Abdul herself and co-produced by Mac Chew.When I first saw Aina perform with a pianist (without the backing track), I was wondering who the pianist is. In her past performances, she was often accompanied by Sylvia Wong. Then in some video clip I was watching, the name Mac Chew was mentioned. I finally recognised that Mac Chew was the pianist in the video. Knew of Mac Chew since his days with Roslan Aziz Productions.
Anyway, winning and losing is part and parcel of competition. Thus, not winning is no big deal and in fact, I believe there is grace in this outcome: Aina need not perform in the forthcoming Eurovision; she would probably be a stranger there and will probably get uncomfortable. Being Muslim and the necessity of modesty, this puts limitations what can be incorporated in her performance (or even interactions).Thus, perhaps the dwelling in seemingly extravagant staging is perhaps compensating what can't be done comfortably. Without being disrespectful and sounding like a sore loser, the competition seems to be less about the song and music; other factors come into play (almost game-like). For me, what Aina did was not what they wanted and it is best just to leave this behind, recover and channel her creativity where it is really wanted. With respect to international audience, I think she has already have it with so many reactions to her past videos, though perhaps not as large as she wants.
I would also like to compare this with the experience I have in handling scientific events. Some (international) events expect wine and dine, or socializing in bars, which we are not allowed to do so in official events (including social ones) and particularly as Muslims. This often lessen our chances or made unfavourable for us to organize (regular known) international events. To overcome these hurdles, we often create our own (lesser known) events. Personally, academic events need not such elements.What is more important is the scientific environment that one creates. Having said this, it does not mean that we want to seclude ourselves from other communities and become frogs under coconut shells (Malay idiom); we certainly want to be part of the bigger international community without trampling on Muslim sensibilities. Such is our predicament. I'm happily retired now and I do not need to think about all these. Enough on this competition!
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