Junior Chamber International Petaling Jaya (JCI Petaling Jaya) officially launched its two-day HopeFest 2026 at Paradigm Mall under the theme “Hope for Tomorrow,” featuring a diverse range of activities centred on physical and mental well-being, personal development, entrepreneurship, sustainability and community engagement.
The event aims to create a platform where members of the public can connect, share experiences and create a positive impact.
Petaling Jaya Member of Parliament Lee Chean Chung, who officiated the opening ceremony, said that amid the increasingly fast pace of urban life and growing social pressures, communities need more platforms that can bring people of different backgrounds and age groups together, and HopeFest provides such a space for meaningful interaction.
This year’s HopeFest focuses on environmental sustainability, SMEs and entrepreneurship, mental and physical well-being, knowledge sharing, youth development and community connection.
Guests hold up the letters spelling “HOPE” during the official launch of HopeFest 2026. From left: Collexe Consulting Managing Partner Chong Li Ken; JCI Petaling Jaya President Gabby Wong; HopeFest 2026 Organising Chairperson Gazel Ho; Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung; MBPJ Zone 19 Councillor Nalina Nair, representing Kampung Tunku State Assemblywoman Lim Yi Wei; JCI Malaysia 2026 National Executive Vice President Maegann Yap; and Paradigm Mall General Manager Foong Khar Mun.
The programme features forums, workshops, wellness sessions, experiential activities, business networking and community initiatives, allowing participants to explore different aspects of personal and community development.
The event also brings together businesses, social organisations, community partners and merchants through exhibitions, sharing sessions, interactive experiences and networking opportunities, while providing local businesses and organisations with a platform to showcase their work, collaborate and build connections.
Lee said mental health has become an increasingly important social issue, noting that the prevalence of depression has risen from about 2.8% to more than 4%, while mental health-related symptoms and incidents are becoming increasingly common and affecting people’s daily lives and overall well-being.
He said that apart from recognising and addressing mental health challenges, society also needs more community platforms that promote hope, care and empathy, so that people facing pressure and difficult circumstances can feel supported and know that they do not have to shoulder their burdens alone.
Lee, who also attended HopeFest last year, said he was once again impressed by the community participation model created by the organisers after visiting the various booths at this year’s event.
He noted that bringing people of different generations and backgrounds together in one space to participate in community activities is no easy task, particularly in a highly urbanised area such as Petaling Jaya.
This, he said, makes it even more important to create opportunities for families, young people, businesses and community organisations to connect.
Lee commended the organisers for continuing to highlight social issues such as mental health and community well-being, and expressed hope that HopeFest would continue to be held, spreading messages of hope, love and care to more people while strengthening connections among families, young people and the wider community.
Nalina Nair Rama Krishnan, MBPJ Councillor for Zone 19, who attended the event on behalf of Kampung Tunku State Assemblywoman Lim Yi Wei, said a truly liveable city should not be measured solely by its roads, buildings and public infrastructure, but also by whether it has a close-knit, connected and caring community.
She said young people in particular need safe spaces where they can communicate and express themselves, meet others, share their experiences and know that someone is willing to listen and offer support when they face difficulties or pressure.
She said HopeFest creates such an opportunity by bringing physical well-being, mental health, personal development and community activities together on one platform.
Nalina noted that while modern urban life is becoming increasingly convenient, busy lifestyles can also leave people feeling increasingly disconnected from one another.
Community events, therefore, are important not merely because they provide activities or entertainment, but because they bring people of different ages, backgrounds and life experiences back together to build genuine human connections.
She stressed that building a caring and hopeful community cannot be the responsibility of the government alone. While governments can formulate policies and provide facilities and resources, the true vitality of a community depends on the participation of civil society organisations, businesses, volunteers and ordinary citizens.
“When people are willing to listen to and support one another, what we build is no longer just an event. We build a community where people feel seen and supported, and where they can believe once again that tomorrow can be better.”
She also thanked JCI Petaling Jaya, its partners, sponsors and volunteers for contributing their time and resources, and hoped participants would leave the two-day event not merely with memories of attending a programme, but also with new ideas, new connections and greater confidence in facing the future.
Maegann Yap, JCI Malaysia 2026 National Executive Vice President (NEVP), approached the message of HopeFest from the perspective of action.
She said hope enables people to believe that tomorrow can be better than today, but if hope remains merely an idea without being translated into action, it will be difficult to bring about meaningful change.
She said this is also where HopeFest resonates with the values of JCI. Social change does not necessarily begin with large-scale initiatives. Sometimes, it starts with one person deciding to care a little more about someone else, one person stepping forward to take responsibility, or one person believing that they can do a little more.
She said this year’s “Power of One” concept emphasises that one person can influence another, and that even a seemingly small action can become the starting point for greater change.
“When each person is willing to contribute their part, these small actions can accumulate and create a social impact that goes far beyond any one individual.”
Yap also encouraged participants to think about what kind of hope they could bring to another person.
“Such actions do not have to be extraordinary. It could be volunteering, supporting a local community project, sharing an opportunity with someone, or simply offering words of encouragement to a person going through a difficult time.”
JCI Petaling Jaya 2026 President Gabby Wong said HopeFest is not merely a two-day community event, but also a platform for JCI members to discover their potential, take responsibility, learn to collaborate and grow together.
She shared that she had known organising committee member Joey for nearly 15 years, yet the two had never truly worked together until Joey joined JCI and became involved in organising HopeFest.
Through the project, Wong said she discovered strengths in her long-time friend that she had never previously seen, particularly in planning, leadership and execution.
She said this reflects the value of the JCI platform. Beyond organising events, members have opportunities to better understand their own capabilities and those of their peers, gain practical experience by taking on different responsibilities, build confidence and learn how to work effectively with others.
Wong said HopeFest had also given her the opportunity to see many members step forward voluntarily to take on responsibilities and contribute their respective strengths throughout the planning and implementation process.
She said JCI Petaling Jaya hopes to further strengthen collaboration with local businesses, community partners and various organisations, extending the relationships built through HopeFest into the wider community and generating more meaningful and sustainable impact in Petaling Jaya.
She also encouraged members of the public to bring their families and friends to HopeFest, participate in the activities, meet new people and build new connections so that the positive impact generated within the community can continue to grow.
In conjunction with HopeFest 2026, JCI Petaling Jaya signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with TEDBOY, Fourways System Sdn Bhd and Sathya Sai International Organization of Malaysia, further strengthening cross-sector collaboration among communities, businesses and social organisations.
The signatories included Amutha Muthaya, Marketing Manager of TEDBOY; Johnny Low, Managing Director of Fourways System Sdn Bhd; and L. V. Sugumaran, President of Sathya Sai International Organization of Malaysia.
The partnerships reflect different strengths coming together — from community and food, to technology and capability building, as well as service and compassion — allowing the organisations to combine their resources, expertise and networks to create more opportunities for future community collaborations.
According to the organisers, the partnerships embody the core spirit of HopeFest: bringing people and organisations together, turning resources into opportunities, and turning opportunities into hope.
During the opening ceremony, guests also participated in the HopeFest 2026 launch by holding keywords representing the event’s values before placing them on the event backdrop, symbolising the transformation of “hope” from an idea into meaningful community action.
HopeFest 2026 takes place from Aug 22 to 23 at Paradigm Mall Petaling Jaya, with various activities open to the public free of charge.
The first day focuses on physical and mental well-being, including Satsang & Sound Bath, featuring guided reflection, sharing and sound healing to help participants relax, reflect and restore balance.
Another experiential activity, Hand Purify, embraces the concept of “Clean Hands, Clear Heart, Calm Mind,” encouraging participants to slow down and reconnect with their physical and inner well-being.
In the health segment, Chiropractic First’s DC Jordanna Shamma presents Physical Health Sharing: Prevent Back and Neck Pain, sharing practical insights on preventing common back and neck pain in everyday life.
The second day expands into personal development, career planning, mental well-being, community impact and business networking.
The UPNEXT! JCI PJ Business & Leadership Series features a session titled Future Ready: Career, Confidence & Choices, exploring career planning, confidence and life choices.
Speakers include Nurul-Huda Mohamed Afandi, Stanley Phang Weng Lam and Junxen “Jay” Wang, with Steven Khu serving as moderator, offering perspectives on professional development, careers and personal growth.
Another forum, How Can We Create Positive Change Together?, brings together JCI and community leaders to discuss how individuals, youth organisations and communities can collaborate to generate positive change.
The panel features JCI Petaling Jaya President Gabby Wong, Travis Heng and Mikasa Chong, with Andrew Goh as moderator, discussing community collaboration, youth participation and ways to turn ideas into action.
The programme also features Unburden — Let Go. Reset. Reconnect., led by community worker Ricky Wong, focusing on emotional well-being, stress release and community connection.
For business and entrepreneurship, HopeFest combines Future Builder Day 2026 with UPNEXT! to organise the Business Networking Game & Future Builder Pre-Launch.
Through a gamified networking format, participants are encouraged to build meaningful business connections, exchange ideas, identify collaboration opportunities and pool resources, further strengthening engagement between young people and businesses.
The initiative revolves around the principles of “Connect, Collaborate, Build, Grow,” encouraging participants to establish partnerships and explore potential collaborations through interactive engagement.
The overall programme also supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Partnerships for the Goals.
HopeFest 2026 is also supported by a wide range of corporate, social and community partners. Nalina officiated the presentation of appreciation certificates to corporate and community partners.
During the opening ceremony, recognising their contributions of resources, expertise and various forms of support towards making the event possible.
The organisers said HopeFest’s ability to bring together businesses, non-governmental organisations and community groups demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can transform resources into opportunities and create positive impact for the wider community.
Collexe Consulting serves as the Patron Sponsor of HopeFest 2026, while Paradigm Mall is the Venue Sponsor and Delight Media is the Media Partner. Innerzen is the Platinum Sponsor, while Gold Sponsors include Eventree and Welly World Cycle Sdn Bhd.
Supporting partners include CSR Brand Angel, 28M Creation, Chiropractic First, Agarwa, NSQKL, Dual Blessing Bhd, Mutual Healing, Moment at 6 Studio, Melilia-Coco Health Wellness, TEDBOY, Fourways System Sdn Bhd (IT Sifu), Sathya Sai International Organisation and Cuckoo.
Through two days of activities spanning health, education, entrepreneurship, community service and cross-sector collaboration, HopeFest 2026 brings businesses, young people, families and social organisations together on a common platform.
The organisers hope the connections established during the event will extend beyond the two-day programme, leading to new partnerships and community initiatives that transform the spirit of “Hope for Tomorrow” into sustained action across Petaling Jaya.
