Liani MK is a journalist based in Malaysia. Of mixed indigenous-diasporic heritage, her work focuses on the environment, human rights, culture, language and migration — with stories that centre women, migrant and indigenous experiences.
Her passion for storytelling is also reflected through her 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.
She also enjoys co-learning, mentoring, editing and engaging in media advocacy with other journalists and grassroots organisations at the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD).
As an undergraduate, Liani immersed in history and Southeast Asian studies — where she learnt Thai, played Indonesian gamelan, and researched a precolonial Tagalog writing script called baybayin.
Awards
- 2025 — Longlisted — Environmental Reporting Award, One World Media Awards
- 2024 — Honorable Mention — Excellence in Reporting on the Environment, Regional/Local, SOPA Awards
- 2024 — Finalist — Breaking Barriers, Large Division, Nonprofit News Awards (INNYS)
- 2023 — Honorable Mention — General Excellence Category, Solutions Journalism Network Awards
- 2022 — Winner — Said Zahari Young Journalist Award
- 2020 — Silver Award — Social Video, Talkshow/Interview Category, The Telly Awards
Fellowships
- 2022 — Rest of World Feature Reporting Fellowship
- 2022 — APWLD Fellowship on Migration and Migrant Women’s Human Rights
Grants
- 2024/2025 — The Contrapuntal’s Bridging Narratives Grant
- 2024 — Earth Journalism Network story grant for Indigenous Environmental Journalists
- 2024 — Earth Journalism Network’s STRIDES story grant (managed by Malaysiakini) on Infrastructure Development
- 2023 — Earth Journalism Network story grant to support indigenous journalists to carry out environmental reporting in Asia Pacific
- 2022 — Thomson Reuters Foundation story grant on human trafficking and modern slavery in Malaysia
Interviews
- 2025 — “Fireflies, Forests, and the Fight to Protect Them” | BFM Earth Matters | Spotify |
- 2024 — “Better Drainage in the Fight Against Floods”
| BFM Earth Matters | Spotify| - 2023 — “Grain’s Anatomy—Heirloom Rice for Malaysia’s Food Security” | BFM Earth Matters | Spotify |
Performance/Recording
- 2017 — “Keselarasan Abu” | Insitu Sessions Volume 5 |
Selected Clients and Platforms
• Research • Journalism • Art • Film • Media Advocacy • 