Mat Dan (born Daniel James Tyler,[3] 18 October 1989)[4][5] also known by his Muslim name Mohammad Kareef Daniel Abdullah is an English traveller and TV host who has been living in Malaysia since 2009.[6] He first settled in Malaysia after travelling in Kapas Island. He is known for his eloquence in speaking Terengganu dialect. He is also better known through the television show, Haramain Backpackers - Trans Siberian[7] and also hosted Mat Dan Kaki Jalan.[8]
In February 2018, he was officially granted permanent resident status by the then Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who publicly announced his new status at the launch of Expo Terengganu 2018.[9]
Life
Early life
Daniel James Tyler was born in Bristol, England on 18 October 1989[10][5] as the second child of three siblings. His younger brother is Will Tyler,[11] while his older brother is Joe Tyler.[2][11] He is the son of Kevin, a businessman, and Nicol Tyler, an administrator.[7]
Emigrant to Malaysia
In 2009, he went on a trip to Thailand and Laos with a friend[12] after completing his A-level.[7][13] At that time, his friend had suggested that he visit the Perhentian Island. When he got there, he learned about Kapas Island. 10 days after residing on the island,[14] he came to Kapas Island. As long as he was there, he volunteered in a chalet. He returned to Pulau Kapas in 2010[14] then settled for over 7 years.[4][7][13] There he learned the Terengganu dialect.[12] On 26 February 2018 Tyler received the status of Malaysian Permanent Resident (PR) from the then Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the opening of Terengganu Expo 2018 at the compound of the Terengganu Sports Complex.[15][16][17][18]
Embracing Islam
In January 2013, he converted to Islam with the help from his adopted brother, Zakaria Sulong,[13] and changed his name to Mohammad Kareef Daniel Abdullah.[19][20]
Family
He engaged and married Nadifa Adnan,[21][22] a local Malay girl,[23] on 12 March 2017 at his wife's home in Bukit Chendering, Terengganu.[24][25]
He has a son born on 5 May 2018 at the Salam Specialist Hospital and was named as Muhammad Zayne Danial James Tyler.[11][26] On 7 November 2020, Mat Dan blessed with second son born at 10.55 MST at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital.[27] He named his second son as Eydan Yusoff bin Daniel James Tyler 20 days later.[28]
Career
As of January 2019[update], he worked as a radio announcer at Manis FM and hosting a food travelogue programme.[29]
Ambassador
On 22 October 2016, he was appointed as Terengganu State Environmental Ambassador in conjunction with the State Level National State Day at Kerteh by the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE).[30]
On 4 September 2019 Mat Dan was selected as the Terengganu Tourism Icon by the Terengganu state government. His appointment was made to enable Mat Dan to promote and strengthen Terengganu in overseas markets such as the United Kingdom and Europe.[31] He said, "From the first day I arrived in Malaysia, I have fallen in love with this country".[a][32]
^Rosli Zakaria; Hanneeyzah Bariah Baharin (26 February 2018). "Kejutan buat Mat Dan". BH Online. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
