The film stars award-winning Hong Kong TVB actor Kenneth Ma Kwok-ming and is set in a stylised ancient courtroom inspired by the legendary Justice Pao. It opens with two brothers embroiled in a dramatic family dispute that is brought before the “court”, using humour and exaggerated courtroom exchanges to depict a conflict familiar to many families.

As the narrative progresses, the setting shifts from the ancient courtroom to a modern-day context, revealing the underlying causes of the brothers’ estrangement. The story focuses on long-standing misunderstandings and unspoken sacrifices, gradually uncovering gestures of care and affection that had gone unnoticed. The film concludes with reconciliation and reunion, emphasising themes of empathy, communication and forgiveness during the festive season.

Alex Goh, vice president of marketing at MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad, said, “Chinese New Year is a time for families to come together, reconnect and appreciate one another. The Family Trial 2: Storm of Reunion reflects the small but meaningful moments that shape family relationships. Through humour and heartfelt storytelling, we hope to remind Malaysians that love, understanding and togetherness are what truly matter.”

According to the company, the web film is intended to capture the spirit of Chinese New Year while reinforcing MR D.I.Y.’s focus on remaining close to the everyday experiences of Malaysian households. The campaign coincides with the upcoming Year of the Horse and encourages audiences to reflect on family relationships as they mark the festive period.

Alongside the web film, MR D.I.Y. has introduced a complementary music-led activation titled Chotto Matte Kudasai. The initiative includes an original upbeat song and a nationwide dance challenge designed to engage audiences through movement and participation. The dance challenge is built around the song’s rhythm and a signature hand “stop” gesture, encouraging users to create and share their own interpretations online.

Commenting on the music activation, Goh said, “Our Chinese New Year music video and original song, Chotto Matte Kudasai, are designed to bring people together through a shared festive experience that is light-hearted, energetic and unmistakably MR D.I.Y. By combining music, movement and a simple hand stop gesture, we aim to create a fun and inclusive way for Malaysians to express creativity while celebrating the season in their own unique style.”

Together, the web film and dance challenge form a dual-pronged Chinese New Year 2026 campaign that blends emotional storytelling with interactive participation. The brand said the approach is intended to invite Malaysians to both reflect on family ties and celebrate the festive season through creative expression.

In addition to its digital campaign, MR D.I.Y. is also rolling out its Marvellous CNY 2026 product highlights across selected stores nationwide. The range includes Chinese New Year décor and festive food items, aimed at providing customers with seasonal essentials at value-for-money prices. Through its combined digital activations and in-store offerings, MR D.I.Y. Malaysia said it aims to make Chinese New Year celebrations more accessible and enjoyable for households across the country.

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The campaign includes a short web film titled ‘Wo Ai Ni (I love you)’ that follows the journey of Long Wei Feng, whom his grandson and family refer to as ‘The Most Strict Headmaster in the Country’. Gearing away from the usual tear-jerking films, it is set around the Lunar New Year and combines hints of humour with family values to highlight the role elders play in the family.

MR D.I.Y.’s ad film is also anchored on the wordplay between Ai (love) and AI (artificial intelligence) technology, reminding viewers to skip the AI and simply add the Ai instead. It aims to encourage audiences to express their love in the most sincere and fun-loving way possible.

Aside from the web film, MR D.I.Y. also prepared a Wishing Wall at MR D.I.Y. Plus in Mid Valley Megamall, where everyone can try craft workshops, watch traditional performances, and take photos at the photo booth with their loved ones.

Speaking on the campaign, Andrew Perera, creative director at Fishermen Integrated, explained, “Although there has been a lot of talk about AI and how powerful it is becoming, our team realised that there is a better kind of AI that artificial intelligence will never match—the ‘AI’ in Wo Ai Ni (I Love You). For this reason, this Chinese New Year, we wanted to break free from the usual Gong Xi Fa Cai prosperity messages and reach out to the Chinese community, who shy away from vocal expressions of love, to start a far more valuable tradition—by saying Wo Ai Ni to their loved ones.”

Alex Goh, head of marketing at MR D.I.Y. Group, also shared, “The Lunar New Year is all about bringing family and loved ones together. The best and simplest way of doing so is to bring out the spirit of ‘Ai’ (love), which is to say “我爱你 Wo Ai Ni” or “I love you”. Our web film shows how a grandfather uses unique ways to express his love to his family members with the assistance of AI. With this, MR D.I.Y hopes to remind everyone to make this festive season a little extra special by injecting the spirit of ‘Ai’ (love) instead of ‘AI’ (artificial intelligence).”

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Petronas deems to be the country’s leading gas infrastructure and centralized utilities company and one of the largest companies on the local bourse in terms of market capitalization, with core businesses in gas processing, gas transportation, and LNG regasification, as well as utilities. 

The story of the ​‘Manik Panik’ film is set in a longhouse on Gawai Dayak Eve, featuring an unsolved mystery that has befallen the community when a beaded necklace belonging to the Gawai Festival’s chief is found broken.

With no one coming forward, Detective Gerunung takes it upon himself to discover the truth. He sets off on a learning and discovery journey with the help of his friends to fix the broken necklace in time for the chief to wear it for the Gawai kick-off ceremony. 

The new web film also showcases various Dayak cultural objects and accessories such as gerunung (bell worn around the ankles) headgear, beads, and terabai (warrior’s shield).

‘Manik Panik’ is now available for viewing on Petronas’ official YouTube channel and Facebook page. In addition to the web film, the company has also launched ‘Manik Panik’ stickers for WhatsApp to further spread joy this festive season. 

Petronas’ Senior General Manager of Group Strategic Communications Datin Anita Azrina Abdul Aziz said, “Petronas is pleased to have produced a web film as special and meaningful as ‘Manik Panik’, in celebration of Hari Gawai Dayak. From our unique family to yours, we send a festive greeting of happiness and hope, and a reminder of the importance of coming together as one.”

Just recently, Petronas’ short animated film titled ‘Syukur Raya’ has been included in the top 10 list of Hari Raya ads by YouTube Malaysia.

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