KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Rooted in Malay folklore, the legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang is a timeless tale of love, loyalty and sacrifice.
When it was first staged 20 years ago as a musical, Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical captivated the imagination of all who watched it.
When the curtain rose on October 31 for its latest production, the packed house at the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre (JCPAC) were probably unaware that it was a personally significant moment for Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah.
For Cheah, the return of Puteri Gunung Ledang carries a meaning that extends well beyond the success of a single production.
It represents something he has long believed in, that Malaysia possesses an abundance of artistic talent, a rich cultural inheritance and stories worthy of the world’s finest stages.
While Cheah spent more than five decades building businesses and communities in Malaysia, he has always felt that a country’s progress must be measured by more than just economic prosperity.
He believes that a truly flourishing nation must also provide room for imagination, cultural expression and the preservation of the traditions that give its people a sense of identity and belonging.
JCPAC, a RM200 million investment by Sunway Group, at Sunway Square in Sunway City Kuala Lumpur was conceived with that philosophy at heart.
“I firmly believe that Malaysian artistes deserve the opportunity to learn and develop their craft on the finest stages. With the right support, facilities and encouragement, there’s no limit to what they can achieve,” he said, at the opening of JCPAC on October 16.
The centre’s 1,200-seat Grand Theatre, equipped with sophisticated immersive sound and acoustic technology, provides the scale and technical capabilities for major theatrical productions.
It’s adjoining 150-seat Studio offers a more intimate setting for emerging talent and experimental work.
But more than the state-of-the-art equipment, the space is about the possibilities it will help create for aspiring artistes.
And few productions could have marked the centre’s arrival more meaningfully than Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical.
Over 18,000 tickets were snapped up within hours across the pre-sale and public sale launches, with more than 22,000 people still waiting in the online queue.
The response was a powerful affirmation of the place that Malaysian stories continue to hold in the hearts of the people.
Its return in 2026 brings together some of Malaysia’s most accomplished performers and rising stars, including Aisha Retno, Mila Mohsin, Aqasha, Mimi Fly and Nadia Aqilah.
The revival introduces the story to younger audiences while allowing those who remember the original production to experience its magic anew.
“For those of us who have dedicated our lives to building Malaysia’s creative industry, having visionary leaders like Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah believe in the power of the arts makes all the difference,” said Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, Chief Dream Maker of Enfiniti.
Enfiniti Productions, the Malaysian theatre and entertainment company founded by Tiara, first brought Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical to the stage 20 years ago and is behind its return.
For Cheah, who has devoted much of his life to building communities in Malaysia, it is another expression of his faith in the country he calls home, that its people deserve the best opportunities, its cultures deserve to be cherished, and its stories deserve to be heard.
