AT the recent Autism Acceptance Campaign 2026 (AAC26), Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state executive councillor Lim Siew Khim, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, and organising chairperson Kathrine Koo took part in a symbolic on-stage gesture reflecting the campaign’s message of inclusion and acceptance.
Each stood beside a stand decorated with several balloons, topped by one large balloon. The four large balloons were individually labelled Different, Difficult, Weird, and Cannot Learn. At the count of three, Wong, Chow, Lim, and Koo punctured their respective balloons. As they burst, banners emerged from the stands with the words UNIQUE, STRONG, WORTHY, and ABLE, replacing the earlier labels.
The symbolic act reflected AAC26’s theme, “UNLABELLED”, sending a powerful message: individuals with autism and other special needs should not be confined by societal assumptions, but recognised for their dignity, potential, and unique identity.
This marked the ninth year of the campaign, organised by the Penang Shine Like Stars Association, which has grown into a movement extending beyond awareness to meaningful societal change. For 15 years, the association has worked closely with families, offering support, fostering community, and advocating for greater inclusion.
While the campaign also featured a Family Carnival at MCKL College (Pykett Campus), complete with local food and community activities, the highlight remained the live concert, where Malaysian artists performed alongside individuals with special needs, showcasing inclusion in action.
One performer who drew particular attention was 25-year-old Lim Liang Han, an autistic young man, who took the stage with pride and quiet confidence as a singer and ventriloquist.
Born in Penang, Liang Han moved to Selangor at the age of 10 due to his father’s work. He only realised he was on the autism spectrum at 18, after his cousin noticed traits resembling those of children she worked with.
Liang Han initially pursued a conventional path, studying IT and mechanical engineering — a common choice among Asian students who excel in mathematics.
During the movement control order (MCO), he took a one-year break from studying and explored other passions. He participated in several singing competitions, including a top eight finish at TVB Stars Academy 2 Malaysia (2022–2023).
“I’ve always loved music. My parents probably influenced me, as I often watched them sing old songs at karaoke sessions. My singing at TVB Stars Academy was actually not good, but they considered me unique because of my deep voice. Most singers sing in a higher pitch, whereas I stay in the low range,” Liang Han recalled.
He spent about a year training with TVB online, alongside other trainees in a room in Kuala Lumpur. During this period, trainees were asked to produce three audition videos: two showcasing singing and one featuring another talent. While most chose dancing or musical instruments, Liang Han picked voice acting.
“After watching talent shows like America’s Got Talent on YouTube, I was inspired by ventriloquists such as Paul Zerdin and Darci Lynne. I went to my closet, took out a sock, and started using it as a puppet. I practised a bit on my own and thought, why not try it again for the TVB talent video? Since then, it has become one of my talents,” he said.
After his stint with TVB, Liang Han pursued audio production at Sunway University and recently completed his internship. He described the course as a “safety net” — a combination of engineering and music, giving him the best of both worlds.
When asked about his stage name, Hermit, Liang Han explained: “I originally planned to give myself an English name, but I couldn’t think of one in time during an open night at my university. So, I just blurted out ‘Hermit,’ since I spend a lot of time alone in my room. I sang ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra that night, and it was well received, so I decided to stick with the name for my talent performances.”
At AAC26, Liang Han performed a duet with Yee Yee, singing 亲密爱人 (Qin Mi Ai Ren) by the late Hong Kong star Anita Mui. He then performed a solo of his original song, 谱 (pǔ), which carries a double meaning: musical notation and “spectrum.”
“The lyrics and melody came together quickly, but the arrangement took longer with the help of a friend and a band. I didn’t want it to be a typical ballad because a song about autism would lose its meaning if it sounded like every other song. I wanted it to feel different — something with an indie rock edge,” he said.
Reflecting on his performance, Liang Han admitted he still feels nervous sometimes.
“I used to think that performing more would get rid of my nerves, but it doesn’t work that way — it’s true for many performers. This time, however, I had plenty of support from my fellow performers.”
Before the show, Liang Han confessed he worried about being held up as a role model, as many people look for inspiration and cite famous examples like Mozart and Albert Einstein, who some have speculated may have displayed autistic traits, and Elon Musk, who has openly spoken about being on the autism spectrum.
“I understand that. But everyone is different. I was worried that people might use my performance to pressure their children. I don’t want that. Autism has different sides — it can bring focus to things you enjoy, but there are also real challenges, including mental health risks. Both sides need to be understood,” he said.
Whether Liang Han ends up as a singer, a ventriloquist, or both, his central message remains clear: individuals with autism are not alone.
For his parents, Lim Chin Wah and Rose Ang, who attended AAC26, accepting their son’s autism was a journey in itself.
“Just as the theme of the campaign says — ‘Unlabelled’ — we have to learn acceptance. Whatever the circumstances, we continue to give our love and support, and not compare him with other children,” the couple said.
In that simple statement, the essence of AAC26 is reflected: celebrating differences, recognising potential, and supporting each person for who they truly are.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by K.H. Ong and courtesy of Penang Shine Like Stars Association