- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter, or Telegram and WhatsApp channels for the latest stories and updates.
When I was younger, I sometimes felt that the future, creativity, and freedom I was searching for could only exist somewhere else. Travelling across Malaysia changed that completely.
The turning point came when I stopped looking at places merely as destinations and began seeing them as living stories.
I remember staying at an Iban longhouse and realising, quite deeply, that Malaysia is not just diverse on paper; it contains worlds within worlds. You get the opportunity to meet communities whose way of life, hospitality, and relationship with the land still carry something profoundly meaningful, whose warmth and generosity stay with you long after.
During my travels, I also encountered quieter moments that revealed another side of the country: an elderly trishaw rider in Penang still working despite his age because the pandemic had devastated his livelihood; a Chinese auntie at Chew Jetty selling ice cream in what had become a ghost town, and time spent with the Bajau Laut community, who showed how dignity, gentleness, and harmony can still exist even in hardship.
Those moments changed me because they made Malaysia feel human. Not abstract or political, but something fragile and alive. A country carried every day by ordinary people trying their best. I still see its flaws, but also its beauty, struggle, warmth, history, and coexistence. I see how different worlds can exist within one border. And because I have seen that up close, I no longer take Malaysia for granted.
For me, the journey often matters as much as the destination itself.
The destination may be the objective, but the journey is what gives a trip its colour, meaning, and emotional weight.
How you get there (by car, train, plane, or on foot) changes everything: the landscapes you pass through, the sounds you absorb, and the details you begin to notice. When you hike, for example, you are not simply passing through a place but experiencing it layer by layer.
I’ve always believed that trips feel more meaningful when you have to earn them. When the journey is slower or more difficult, you don’t just arrive, you appreciate the place more deeply.
One journey I remember vividly is hiking to Air Terjun Susung in Sarawak. It was raining, and we had taken a boat through the downpour. We stayed overnight in a local house up in the hills, sleeping on the wooden living room floor, wrapped in blankets as we listened to the soft pitter-patter of rain. It was cold, simple, and raw in the best way. The next morning, we took another boat before finally reaching the waterfall. What stayed with me was not just the destination, but how the entire journey unfolded, step by step.
Taking the train to places like Dabong gave me a completely different relationship with the journey compared to simply driving. For the same reason, I enjoy travelling by train to Bangkok. People often focus too much on speed, but how you get there can reshape the way a destination is experienced.
From Distance to Discovery
I read recently that the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is expected to be operational by January 2027, and that it will connect different cities and towns in the East Coast to the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
This, and simply having more travel options, I believe would change how people plan their trips. Places that once felt too far or too troublesome for a short getaway could suddenly become realistic weekend plans. Before this, many Malaysians would naturally look for shorter escapes closer to home, around Selangor, Genting, or other nearby options. But once travel becomes easier, I can imagine people thinking very differently: a weekend for nasi kerabu in Kota Bharu, or even a quick island escape along the East Coast.
As someone from the East Coast, the idea of more people discovering the region excites me. I think of specific places like Kampung Mangkuk, with its serene kampung atmosphere, coconut trees, openness, and quiet beauty often missed by those rushing through. Besut is known as gateway to the islands, but it has far more character if you slow down and actually look. Kuala Kemaman is another favourite of mine – still laid-back and deeply rooted in East Coast life, where people gather in the evenings to talk, play dam haji, and live at a rhythm that feels increasingly rare.
Even beyond specific destinations, what matters is how people experience the journey itself. Along the older coastal roads, you pass coconut trees, roadside stalls, and small moments of everyday life that give the East Coast its rhythm.
If travel becomes more accessible, the impact could be significant – tourism would grow, local businesses would gain visibility, and new opportunities for the communities living in the area. More importantly, it could help more Malaysians experience the East Coast beyond stereotypes. They would see that it is not just somewhere far away, but somewhere full of beauty, culture, food, warmth, and identity.
On a personal level, it would even change family life. As the ECRL is expected to link its Terminal Bersepadu Gombak (TBG) station with KotaSAS station, I could bring my children from the Federal Capital to Kuantan in just an hour and a half via the express service. If travel became that seamless, I can honestly imagine going back more often, allowing my children to spend more time with their grandparents. With Hari Raya approaching, that thought feels even more real.
Looking ahead, I think domestic travel in Malaysia will become more frequent, more flexible, and more experience-driven. My hope is that as travel becomes easier, Malaysians will not just move faster, but also become more open to discovering the richness of their own country.
Because for me, Malaysia stopped being just the place I came from. It became a place I feel proud to keep discovering.
By Fikri Zamri, a local content creator best known for inspiring travel content, capturing cinematic and stunning landscapes that inspire people to explore and reconnect.
Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Threads.
How Travel Changed the Way I See Malaysia
Entertainment Flash Report
Comments
Post a Comment