• Research • Journalism • Art • Film • Media Advocacy •

About

Liani MK is a journalist and artist based in Malaysia. 

Shaped by her mixed indigenous-diasporic heritage, Liani’s work focuses on the environment, human rights, culture, language and migration — with stories that centre women, migrant and indigenous experiences. She is often interested in covering community-led initiatives and society’s relationship with land and water — and the beings that guard them.

​​Her passion for storytelling is also reflected through her many creative pursuits in visual art, comics and film. Across these media, she has assumed professional roles as a producer, screenwriter, script editor, translator, proofreader, designer, photographer, editor and researcher.

In recent years, she has been co-learning and engaging in media advocacy with other journalists and grassroots organisations at the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD). This includes mentoring and supporting their media fellowship programme after once being a fellow herself.

Her background includes history and Southeast Asian studies — where as an undergraduate, she learnt Thai, played Indonesian gamelan, and researched a precolonial Tagalog writing script called baybayin. During her free time, Liani produces informational zines and organises learning exchanges with peers in Penang, Malaysia.

​​​​​​​​Awards​

​Fellowships

Grants​

Interviews

Performance/Recording

Selected Clients and Platforms

  • International/Global — The New York Times, NPR, Rest of World
  • Asia–Pacific — Kontinentalist, New Naratif, Project Multatuli, Southeast Asia Globe
  • Malaysia — Macaranga, Malaysiakini, Family Frontiers, Justice for Sisters, KRYSS Network, Penang Monthly, Yahoo! News​ Malaysia