GEORGE TOWN, Dec. 6 -- It began as an annual dinner among miniature model hobbyists who shared a passion for assembling, painting and customising small-scale replicas of vehicles, buildings and figures.

Choo Huang Ming hosted these gatherings for members and customers of his World Hobby Miniatures shop, which he founded with partner Andrew Gay in 2010.

"We would also organise public miniature model displays at places like Straits Quay, Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon," he said.

In 2015, a model kit manufacturer suggested he put together a miniature model trade show, and the inaugural Malaysia International Miniatures and Hobby Show (Malcom) was held in 2016 across two ballrooms at Cititel Penang.

The event was mainly a platform for mi...