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ASIAN Story & Heritage, Land of Smiles, Manila (2026)

07/06/2026

Malaysian immigration authorities arrested 7,043 undocumented migrants in 1,855 nationwide operations. The operation targeted foreigners overstaying or without valid travel passes, with the majority of detainees hailing from Indonesia and Myanmar.

Malaysia attracts undocumented migrants because many locals avoid low-paid, labour-intensive jobs in construction, plantations and domestic work.

Malaysia’s Immigration deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said that between Jan 1 and Feb 19, 30,177 individuals were screened in 1,855 enforcement operations.

"From that total, 7,043 arrests of undocumented migrants involving various nationalities were recorded," he said.

Lokman said the highest number of offences were under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, involving 4,804 cases of individuals in Malaysia without valid passes or travel documents.

"This was followed by 1,250 cases under Section 15(1)(c) for overstaying, 806 cases under Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for breaching pass conditions, and 183 cases for other offences," he added.

Lokman said that enforcement of immigration laws would be strengthened through firmer, more targeted operations against foreigners who violate the law.

05/06/2026

🇮🇩 Riau Province in Indonesia has promoted the branding “Riau Homeland of Melayu” as a key cultural and tourism identity. This initiative highlights Riau’s position as the heartland of Malay (Melayu) culture within Indonesia.

Riau Province in Indonesia officially trademarked key elements of the “Riau Tanah Melayu” branding. In August 2018, the provincial government secured trademark certificates (Sertifikat Merek) from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) for slogans including “Riau Tanah Tumpah Darah Melayu” and “Riau Menyapa Dunia,” formalized under Governor Regulation No. 44 of 2018.

This legal step protects the province’s cultural identity and tourism nickname from unauthorized commercial use, reinforcing Riau’s claim as the homeland of Malay culture.

The trademarking serves strategic economic and promotional purposes. It strengthens Riau’s positioning for cultural tourism, supports local businesses and products tied to the brand, and prevents imitation while enabling official collaborations and merchandise.

This move aligns with broader efforts to leverage heritage for sustainable development, shifting focus from oil and palm oil toward tourism-driven growth.

03/06/2026

Malaysian Hajj pilgrims have received widespread praise after leaving their tents in Mina exceptionally clean, neat, and well-organized, despite facing extremely crowded conditions, intense heat, and physical exhaustion throughout their Hajj pilgrimage.

Mina most famously refers to the "City of Tents," a large valley and neighborhood located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of Mecca in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia. It serves as a temporary tent city for millions of pilgrims performing the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Malaysia’s Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, commended the pilgrims, saying their high level of discipline reflects a refined culture and exemplary moral character.

Note: Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and an obligatory religious duty that every physically and financially capable adult Muslim must perform at least once in their lifetime

02/06/2026

Buddhism continues to flourish across Southeast Asia! While Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia have the highest percentages, Malaysia stands strong in 5th place with a significant Buddhist community, mainly among the local ethnic Chinese population.

From grand temples in Bangkok and Bagan to beautiful shrines in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, the teachings of the Buddha remain alive in our region.

Which country’s Buddhist culture or temples do you love the most? Have you visited any? Share in the comments! 👇

02/06/2026

Which breakfast you would love to try today?

Filipino, Indonesian or Malaysian?

01/06/2026

Israel has captured an 889-year-old castle in southern Lebanon in a mountainous military siege that marked Israeli forces' deepest incursion into the country in 26 years.

Beaufort Castle, also known locally by its Arabic name Qal'at al-Shaqif, located within 10 kilometres of the Israeli border and near the city of Nabatiyeh.

Lebanon's Beaufort Castle was first built around the year 1137 but has since been expanded, modified and rebuilt by ruling groups through history such as the Ayyubids and the Mamluks, according to UNESCO.

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01/06/2026

What do you call “squid” in your language? 🦑

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31/05/2026

🇲🇾 Malaysian Batik Making

Malaysian batik is a vibrant and intricate textile art form that beautifully reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage and tropical identity.

Unlike the more intricate and symbolic Indonesian batik, Malaysian batik is characterized by bold, flowing floral motifs, large leaf patterns, and vibrant colors such as bright yellows, greens, blues, and pinks, often inspired by the lush rainforests and diverse flora of the Malay Archipelago.

Traditionally handcrafted using the wax-resist dyeing technique on cotton or silk, it is deeply embedded in Malay culture and commonly used for formal attire like baju kurung, sarongs, and modern fashion pieces.

The industry thrives particularly in states like Kelantan and Terengganu on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, where artisans have preserved this craft for generations.

Today, Malaysian batik has evolved into a global fashion statement, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary designs while supporting local economies and promoting cultural pride.

📽️ tarmizibatikofficial

30/05/2026

🇮🇩 Newly-opened Underpass in Indonesia That Turned Into an Instant “Gathering Area”

The Gorowong Underpass in Desa Warungbambu, Karawang Timur, West Java, has attracted significant public attention shortly after its official inauguration on 29 December 2025.

Designed to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce accidents at a busy railway crossing, the 2.5-metre-high structure was quickly visited by large numbers of local residents curious to see the new infrastructure.

This sleek 2.5-meter-high tunnel was meant to ease deadly train crossings, but instead it became an instant magnet for curious locals who treated it like a theme park. Crowds swarmed the spot within hours, with some even turning the area into a chaotic makeshift parking lot run by opportunistic “Pak Ogah” attendants, proving once again that even basic public works can trigger mass hysteria in Indonesia.

30/05/2026

🇲🇾 Malaysian Fighter Jet (SU-30MKM) Spotted in The Sky of Brunei 🇧🇳

Since yesterday, many Bruneians have been captivated by the impressive display of Malaysian fighter jet in the skies over Brunei for the upcoming HUT ABDB. Locals have quickly taken to TikTok and other social media platforms to record and share videos of the jets.

The aerial display in conjunction with the 65th HUT ABDB (Anniversary Celebration of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces) on 31 May 2026 at Rimba Air Force Base, featuring participation and performances from the air forces of friendly nations including Malaysia.

“It was loud but i love it, its my first time seeing it” one Brunei netizen commented on Tiktok. Meanwhile, some Brunei netizens also curious if the fighter jet belongs to Brunei and maybe newly-purchased (which is not true).

Note: Brunei has no fighter jet yet

📽️ / kenj0yz

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