Malaysians lament local VFX star making viral Singapore tourism video

The one-minute film, produced in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), features Mohamad Sofian Abdullah, better known as Sofyank, weaving his signature special effects into a tightly edited journey across the city state.

The video shows the 29-year-old creator – famed for VFX-driven videos featuring Hollywood celebrities including Paul Rudd, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Cruise – visiting iconic attractions such as Jewel Changi Airport and Marina Bay, with dramatically angled shots seamlessly blending digital effects and the real world.

He released the video on social media on Saturday along with a caption saying he had taken “a short trip to Singapore to make a travel video” and hoped viewers would enjoy it. He described the trip as one that made him feel “calm, connected and at peace”, adding that he enjoyed discovering places “many don’t yet know about” and sampling all the halal food.

The film drew immediate praise for its technical flair. But in Malaysia, it also triggered a wave of frustration, some directed at the creator but most aimed at the country’s tourism authorities.

One social media user asked Sofian, “Shouldn’t you be promoting Malaysia, even if you weren’t chosen to promote your own country?”

He replied, “Of course. God willing, if there is a chance for our team to shoot later, we will make it happen.”