STB backs new MD Entertainment film 'Ahlan Singapore' to inspire regional travel

MD Entertainment, a Jakarta-based content powerhouse, is expanding its regional footprint through Ahlan Singapore, a romance drama filmed entirely in Singapore and set for a February 2026 cinema release across Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam.

The film, which will later stream on leading digital platforms, brings together a high-profile cast including Rebecca Klopper, Kiesha Alvaro, Ibrahim Risyad, Ferry Salim, Putri Ayudya, Alya Rohali, and Emilat Morshedi. It follows the emotional journey of an Indonesian student in Singapore, tracing her exploration of love, family, and identity in a foreign land.

The announcement coincides with a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and MD Entertainment, formalised in Jakarta by Oliver Chong, STB’s assistant chief executive of the international group, and MD Entertainment’s founder and CEO, Manoj Punjabi.

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The partnership enables MD to film in Singapore with support from STB, while both organisations explore future film and television opportunities that spotlight Singapore’s cultural and experiential diversity.

“As storytellers, we are always looking for locations that can speak to our audience’s hearts,” said Punjabi. “Singapore’s diversity, its shared heritage with Indonesia, and the way people from different backgrounds live and thrive together create a natural authenticity for our characters’ journey. It’s a story that will feel both close to home and excitingly new for audiences.”

He added that Singapore’s “vibrant locations and modern infrastructure make it an ideal filming destination. The city’s unique blend of cultures and accessibility provides the perfect setting for our story.”

From STB’s side, the collaboration marks a strategic alignment between tourism and entertainment storytelling. “We are delighted to partner MD Entertainment to bring Indonesian filmmaking back to Singapore and tell the Singapore story in an innovative way which connects with audiences,” said Terrence Voon, executive director, Southeast Asia, STB. “By supporting authentic storytelling, we hope to nurture strong travel demand and build a foundation for sustainable tourism growth.”

He added, “This partnership not only deepens our cultural ties with Indonesia, our top visitor market in Southeast Asia, but also allows viewers to naturally discover our distinctive blend of familiar locations and hidden gems, alongside the newest attractions that make us a compelling year-round destination.”

Production for Ahlan Singapore took place in September 2025, featuring various locations across the city-state, including Jewel Changi Airport and the newly opened Singapore Oceanarium.

The collaboration aligns with Singapore’s broader tourism strategy, which continues to emphasise cultural exchange and immersive experiences. The nation’s appeal to Indonesian travellers is further enhanced by increasing air connectivity - with direct flights from 12 Indonesian cities and new routes planned by Pelita Air and Scoot.

New attractions such as Illumination’s Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore, Rainforest Wild Asia at Mandai, and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure further enrich the city’s offering for visitors.

Singapore’s film-friendly infrastructure has made it a growing destination for global productions. Over the past year, it has hosted the HACKS Season 4 finale, Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Coldplay’s Man in The Moon music video, and JISOO’s Your Love special video - each project contributing to Singapore’s evolving image as a destination where entertainment and experience meet.

For MD Entertainment, Ahlan Singapore represents another milestone in its mission to elevate Indonesian storytelling to international audiences, following the unprecedented success of KKN: Curse of the Dancing Village and the launch of its own television platform, MDTV.

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