Lyana Khairuddin
@lyanakhairuddin.bsky.social
Politics aside, Sabah has the prettiest sunset in all of Malaysia. Many Sabahans I spoke to are jaded with politics; life goes on for most of them. Food on the table, life’s comfort (esp. access to running water & electricity), & tarred roads for connectivity are promises they want fulfilled.
November 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Politics aside, Sabah has the prettiest sunset in all of Malaysia. Many Sabahans I spoke to are jaded with politics; life goes on for most of them. Food on the table, life’s comfort (esp. access to running water & electricity), & tarred roads for connectivity are promises they want fulfilled.
Tuaran, specifically Sulaman is most recent former Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s seat. Famous for its Tuaran Mee, another small town Sabah with lots of charm northeast of KK.
November 27, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Tuaran, specifically Sulaman is most recent former Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s seat. Famous for its Tuaran Mee, another small town Sabah with lots of charm northeast of KK.
Flags war in small towns. Travelled from Kota Kinabalu to Sipitang/Sindumin that borders Sarawak. 16,762 voters, 10 candidates in Sindumin. 596 candidates (only 71 are women) vying for 73 elected state seats. Only one Chief Minister to be appointed by one governor.
November 27, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Flags war in small towns. Travelled from Kota Kinabalu to Sipitang/Sindumin that borders Sarawak. 16,762 voters, 10 candidates in Sindumin. 596 candidates (only 71 are women) vying for 73 elected state seats. Only one Chief Minister to be appointed by one governor.
A good crowd at the Warisan Mega Rally in Sandakan tonight. Shafie Apdal given a rock star welcome. With Sungai Sibuga & Elopura candidates walking on stage to custom, bopping songs. It was also the first time I listened to a bacaan doa that doubles as a political speech - am disturbed by this.
November 24, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A good crowd at the Warisan Mega Rally in Sandakan tonight. Shafie Apdal given a rock star welcome. With Sungai Sibuga & Elopura candidates walking on stage to custom, bopping songs. It was also the first time I listened to a bacaan doa that doubles as a political speech - am disturbed by this.
The Warisan Mega Rally in Sandakan tonight has a rock concert vibe, with Shafie Apdal as main headliner. Although there’s nothing new in his speech, he is consistent with his “Sabah for Sabahans” message. A lot of guilt tripping guised as empowering voters in exercising their voting rights.
November 24, 2025 at 1:56 PM
The Warisan Mega Rally in Sandakan tonight has a rock concert vibe, with Shafie Apdal as main headliner. Although there’s nothing new in his speech, he is consistent with his “Sabah for Sabahans” message. A lot of guilt tripping guised as empowering voters in exercising their voting rights.
Hello again, Sandakan. My last trip here was personal so it’s interesting to revisit with the work hat on. Sabah state election in T-5.
November 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Hello again, Sandakan. My last trip here was personal so it’s interesting to revisit with the work hat on. Sabah state election in T-5.
Good to see a nearly all women panel on stage discussing Constitutional matters. Tengku Maimun (centre, right) was 🇲🇾 ‘s first woman Chief Justice - I consider her our very own RBG. She jokingly said politicians are the biggest threat to the Constitution - I have to agree! 😅
August 19, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Good to see a nearly all women panel on stage discussing Constitutional matters. Tengku Maimun (centre, right) was 🇲🇾 ‘s first woman Chief Justice - I consider her our very own RBG. She jokingly said politicians are the biggest threat to the Constitution - I have to agree! 😅
This month on my substack- is DEI merely a buzzword popularised by the Global North or have the rest of us been living & championing it all our lives?
Link here: open.substack.com/pub/lyanakha...
Link here: open.substack.com/pub/lyanakha...
August 16, 2025 at 6:22 AM
This month on my substack- is DEI merely a buzzword popularised by the Global North or have the rest of us been living & championing it all our lives?
Link here: open.substack.com/pub/lyanakha...
Link here: open.substack.com/pub/lyanakha...
www.malaymail.com/news/malaysi...
SIS Forum (Malaysia) has dropped “Islam” from our (former) pen name. The fight for justice & equality in the 🇲🇾Islamic legal system continues.
In the name of God, Most Benevolent, Most Merciful.
SIS Forum (Malaysia) has dropped “Islam” from our (former) pen name. The fight for justice & equality in the 🇲🇾Islamic legal system continues.
In the name of God, Most Benevolent, Most Merciful.
July 31, 2025 at 10:48 AM
www.malaymail.com/news/malaysi...
SIS Forum (Malaysia) has dropped “Islam” from our (former) pen name. The fight for justice & equality in the 🇲🇾Islamic legal system continues.
In the name of God, Most Benevolent, Most Merciful.
SIS Forum (Malaysia) has dropped “Islam” from our (former) pen name. The fight for justice & equality in the 🇲🇾Islamic legal system continues.
In the name of God, Most Benevolent, Most Merciful.
Read this book, support local indie publishers & bookstores. Happy 25th Anniversary, Gerakbudaya!
July 28, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Read this book, support local indie publishers & bookstores. Happy 25th Anniversary, Gerakbudaya!
Is Covid a thing of the past? Hear from a panel (including yours truly!) and get this book on the lessons learnt from Malaysia’s experience with the Covid pandemic.
Moderated by @dririshsea.bsky.social . Link to register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/1bgw...
Moderated by @dririshsea.bsky.social . Link to register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/1bgw...
July 24, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Is Covid a thing of the past? Hear from a panel (including yours truly!) and get this book on the lessons learnt from Malaysia’s experience with the Covid pandemic.
Moderated by @dririshsea.bsky.social . Link to register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/1bgw...
Moderated by @dririshsea.bsky.social . Link to register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/1bgw...
Panel today got me thinking: we 🇲🇾-ns collectively don’t appreciate our own greats/experts. Especially in the Arts - and moreso when these pieces are used to force us to confront the most uncomfortable parts of ourselves.
Here’s to more discourse of Jit’s works in academia. @nikicheong.bsky.social
Here’s to more discourse of Jit’s works in academia. @nikicheong.bsky.social
July 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Panel today got me thinking: we 🇲🇾-ns collectively don’t appreciate our own greats/experts. Especially in the Arts - and moreso when these pieces are used to force us to confront the most uncomfortable parts of ourselves.
Here’s to more discourse of Jit’s works in academia. @nikicheong.bsky.social
Here’s to more discourse of Jit’s works in academia. @nikicheong.bsky.social
And a happy 99th birthday to Tun Dr Hasmah ❤️ - epitome of grace, brilliance, & kindness. Did you know she spearheaded the first post-natal care programme in Malaysia as one of the earliest woman doctors (& hospital administrator) in the country?
July 12, 2025 at 1:09 PM
And a happy 99th birthday to Tun Dr Hasmah ❤️ - epitome of grace, brilliance, & kindness. Did you know she spearheaded the first post-natal care programme in Malaysia as one of the earliest woman doctors (& hospital administrator) in the country?
Too funny not to share 😅
July 12, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Too funny not to share 😅
Congratulations to Wisma Putra for having pulled off the 2025 ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting this past week. Mammoth effort, great teamwork (inc. with local embassy staffs!), and just great hosting on Malaysia’s 🇲🇾part. I see you all & the work you put in! ❤️
July 12, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Congratulations to Wisma Putra for having pulled off the 2025 ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting this past week. Mammoth effort, great teamwork (inc. with local embassy staffs!), and just great hosting on Malaysia’s 🇲🇾part. I see you all & the work you put in! ❤️
Spent the night being reminded of how brilliant 🇲🇾 theatre is. Superb acting, adventurous directing, innovative staging & just all heart. The voice of the late Jit Murad (playwright) resonates loudly. Go watch this play!!! Last shows this weekend. Tickets here: www.onetix.com.my/events/visit...
June 27, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Spent the night being reminded of how brilliant 🇲🇾 theatre is. Superb acting, adventurous directing, innovative staging & just all heart. The voice of the late Jit Murad (playwright) resonates loudly. Go watch this play!!! Last shows this weekend. Tickets here: www.onetix.com.my/events/visit...
Feels good to return to tennis 🎾 amid all the pickleball craze. ☺️
June 7, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Feels good to return to tennis 🎾 amid all the pickleball craze. ☺️
Happy Pride Month, all. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🌈.
The words (in Bahasa Malaysia) translates to “May we remain proud of who we are, in our heart(s) & soul(s), not just in this month, but always & forever.”
The words (in Bahasa Malaysia) translates to “May we remain proud of who we are, in our heart(s) & soul(s), not just in this month, but always & forever.”
June 2, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Happy Pride Month, all. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🌈.
The words (in Bahasa Malaysia) translates to “May we remain proud of who we are, in our heart(s) & soul(s), not just in this month, but always & forever.”
The words (in Bahasa Malaysia) translates to “May we remain proud of who we are, in our heart(s) & soul(s), not just in this month, but always & forever.”
Because women’s achievements do not usually make national news, am sharing this photo of Musawah co-founders Zainah Anwar (🇲🇾) & Dr Ziba Mir Hosseini (🇮🇷), receiving the 2025 Niwano Peace Prize. Musawah is a women’s rights organisation founded in 🇲🇾 & works globally - their website: www.musawah.org.
May 17, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Because women’s achievements do not usually make national news, am sharing this photo of Musawah co-founders Zainah Anwar (🇲🇾) & Dr Ziba Mir Hosseini (🇮🇷), receiving the 2025 Niwano Peace Prize. Musawah is a women’s rights organisation founded in 🇲🇾 & works globally - their website: www.musawah.org.
Today, I was a tourist in my own city. Sometimes it’s good to do this, to remind us of perseverance amidst changes.
May 1, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Today, I was a tourist in my own city. Sometimes it’s good to do this, to remind us of perseverance amidst changes.
Latest on my substack, I talk about a newly available anthology of Fatimah Busu’s short stories & how we need to define feminism for ourselves.
lyanakhairuddin.substack.com/p/everyone-s...
lyanakhairuddin.substack.com/p/everyone-s...
April 23, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Latest on my substack, I talk about a newly available anthology of Fatimah Busu’s short stories & how we need to define feminism for ourselves.
lyanakhairuddin.substack.com/p/everyone-s...
lyanakhairuddin.substack.com/p/everyone-s...
This decision has been a long time coming. I am letting go of all Harry Potter memorabilia in return for donations to Not A Phase UK. My trans 🏳️⚧️ friends’ safety is more important to me than a teenage fandom. If you’d like to donate too, here’s the link: notaphase.org/support/
April 19, 2025 at 1:52 PM
This decision has been a long time coming. I am letting go of all Harry Potter memorabilia in return for donations to Not A Phase UK. My trans 🏳️⚧️ friends’ safety is more important to me than a teenage fandom. If you’d like to donate too, here’s the link: notaphase.org/support/
Sharing two photos that describe my Raya (Eid) celebrations: 1- in my family, it’s normal to have chapati, sardin, & dhal alongside usual raya staples like lemang, pulut & rendang. 2- Tupperware is also a staple to house kuih raya - this one’s been in the family 48 years!
April 14, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Sharing two photos that describe my Raya (Eid) celebrations: 1- in my family, it’s normal to have chapati, sardin, & dhal alongside usual raya staples like lemang, pulut & rendang. 2- Tupperware is also a staple to house kuih raya - this one’s been in the family 48 years!
Cheers, Vicki. Thank you for all your work in this region & inspiring Malaysians, Ozzies & Aotearoa-ians alike especially young women in diplomacy + supporting us in our work ❤️.
April 14, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Cheers, Vicki. Thank you for all your work in this region & inspiring Malaysians, Ozzies & Aotearoa-ians alike especially young women in diplomacy + supporting us in our work ❤️.
I can’t recommend this anthology enough. Pauline Fan shared today of her experience translating Fatimah Busu’s short stories - full of social commentary, satire, philosophy, & humour. Grab a copy at your nearest indie bookstore today! Fatimah Busu’s An Ordinary Tale About Women.
April 12, 2025 at 8:28 AM
I can’t recommend this anthology enough. Pauline Fan shared today of her experience translating Fatimah Busu’s short stories - full of social commentary, satire, philosophy, & humour. Grab a copy at your nearest indie bookstore today! Fatimah Busu’s An Ordinary Tale About Women.