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]

Mat Dan
Mat Dan in 2017
Born
Daniel James Tyler

(1989-10-18) 18 October 1989 (age 35)
Bristol, England
NationalityEnglish
Other namesKareef Daniel Abdullah
Education
  • Kapasia Degree College, Dhaka, Bangladesh[1]
  • Cheltenham Bournside School and Sixth Form Centre, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire[1][2]
Occupations
  • Traveler
  • TV host
  • Actor
  • Radio presenter
Years active2016–present
Employers
  • Husa Network (2019-21)
  • Media Prima Audio (2021-present)
Known forMastering the Terengganu dialect
Notable work
  • Haramain Backpackers - Trans Siberian
  • Mat Dan Kaki Jalan
Spouse
Nadifa Adnan
(m. 2017)
Children3

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

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Early life

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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

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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

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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

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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

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As of January 2019, he worked as a radio announcer at Manis FM and hosting a food travelogue programme.[29]

Ambassador

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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]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role TV channel Notes
2016–2017 Haramain Backpackers - Trans Siberian[8] Host Astro Oasis with PU Amin
Mat Dan Kaki Jalan[8][33][34] Astro Prima
2018 Mahabbah Meals[35] Astro Gempak
I Can See Your Voice Malaysia (season 1)[36] Guest ntv7
2022 Borak Kopitiam Host TV3
2023 Misi Mat Dan TV9

Telemovie

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Year Title Role TV channel
2018 Matilahnak[37] Astro Citra
2021 Busker Bercinta Rejab TV2

Television series

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Year Title Role TV channel Notes
2016–2017 Jenaka Kampung Kalut (J.K.K)[38] TV3 Sitcom

Radiography

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Radio

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Year Title Station
2019–2021 Manis Manis Pagi Manis FM
9 January 2022 - present Molek Petang Molek FM

Notes

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  1. ^ Original: "sejak hari pertama saya sampai di Malaysia, saya telah jatuh cinta dengan negara ini".

References

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  1. ^ a b OMM (12 March 2017). "Biodata Kareef Daniel Abdullah atau lebih dikenali sebagai Mat Dan". Oh My Media. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b Jenkins, Robin (10 November 2018). "The former Cheltenham schoolboy who's now a huge TV celeb, and why you've never heard of him". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  3. ^ Rosli Mohd Nordin (10 January 2021). Malaysia di Hati Mat Dan (Video) (in Malay). Event occurs at 0:27. Nama penuh saya adalah Daniel James Tyler.
  4. ^ a b Siti Zurina (13 November 2017). "4 Tahun Masuk Islam MAT DAN Dedah Rahsia & Pengalaman Kenapa PILIH Agama Suci Ini. Cukup INDAH Perkongsiannya!". Hijabista. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  5. ^ a b Kareef Daniel Abdullah [Daniel] (18 Oktober 2017). Retrieved from Mat Dan’s Facebook page
  6. ^ Mat Dan: From Travelogue Hosting To Acting
  7. ^ a b c d Fadzil, Firdaous (23 May 2015). "Englishman Mat Dan goes native in Terengganu". The Star.
  8. ^ a b c BERNAMA (11 October 2017). "Mat Dan, dari program travelog ke dunia lakonan". Astro Awani. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  9. ^ Mat Dan gets PR status The Star Online (February 26, 2018).
  10. ^ "Sambutan Hari Lahir Mat Dan". Apa Yang MeleTOP. Episode 261. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  11. ^ a b c Ahmad Rabiul Zulkifli (29 June 2018). "Seronok jumpa anak 'kacukan Melayu' Mat Dan". myMetro. Foto oleh Ghazali Kori. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  12. ^ a b Zarul Zulkifli (28 May 2015). "Mat Salleh Fasih Loghat Terengganu Kerana Jatuh Cinta Dengan Pulau Kapas". Gegar. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  13. ^ a b c "Terkenal kerana loghat Terengganu". Utusan Online. 29 August 2016. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  14. ^ a b Timbuong, Jo (15 March 2018). "'Mat Dan' calls Terengganu his home". The Star Online. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Mat Dan kini pemegang status Penduduk Tetap". Astro Awani. 26 February 2018. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  16. ^ "Rasa nak gugur jantung bila TPM panggil naik pentas - Mat Dan". Astro Awani. 27 February 2018. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Mohd. Azli Adlan (26 February 2018). "Mat Dan kini berstatus Penduduk Tetap". Kosmo Online. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  19. ^ "Mat Dang Kini Lebih Bersedia Hadapi Cabaran Puasa". mStar. 15 July 2014. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  20. ^ "Mat Dan azam puasa penuh". Sinar Harian. 25 June 2015. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  21. ^ BERNAMA (18 June 2017). "'Mat Dan' tak sabar nak rasa rendang kasih sayang". BH Online. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  22. ^ Mat Dan (15 April 2018). "Hantaran Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  23. ^ "'Mat Dan' bergelar suami". BH Online. 12 March 2017. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  24. ^ Hanneeyzah Bariah Baharin (12 March 2017). "Ada sebab kami rahsiakan pernikahan". BH Online. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  25. ^ Bernama (13 March 2017). "Mat salih 'Mat Dan' nikah gadis Melayu". Malaysiakini. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  26. ^ Zaidi Mohamad (12 May 2018). "Mat Dan dapat anak lelaki". BH Online. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  27. ^ Ahmad Rabiul Zulkifli (17 November 2020). "Selepas 10 hari, Mat Dan masih pilih nama anak". myMetro. Archived from the original on 23 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  28. ^ Intan (28 November 2020). "Genap 20 Hari Lahir Ke Dunia, Mat Dan Perkenalkan Nama Anak Kedua, Eydan Yusoff". BeautifulNara. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  29. ^ Ahmad Rabiul Zulkifli (6 January 2019). "IG anak Mat Dan sudah ada 11,000 pengikut". BH Online. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  30. ^ Shamsudin Husin (22 October 2016). "Hebak mung Mat Dan". myMetro. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  31. ^ Farah Shazwani (4 March 2019). "Mat Dan ikon pelancongan Terengganu". Sinar Harian. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  32. ^ Ridauddin Daud (27 August 2019). "Sejak hari pertama saya jatuh cinta dengan Malaysia, kata Mat Dan". Sinar Harian. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  33. ^ Nor Asikin Hassan; Aida Rizmariza Kamaruddin (16 September 2016). "Mahu jadi kebanggaan Malaysia". Utusan Online. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  34. ^ "Mat Dan, Mat Salih Terengganu Pusing Satu Malaysia Kerana Cinta". Gempak. 29 November 2016. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  35. ^ "Mahabbah Meals". Astro Gempak. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  36. ^ @ntv7malaysia (14 September 2018). "Jangan lupa saksikan I Can See Your Voice Malaysia bersama guest artist minggu ini @hazamaazmi dan juga @aishahazman8 Mat Dan sebagai penyiasat ‼️ Siapa yang akan di pilih 🤔 Sabtu, 8:30 malam di ntv7 atau Live HD di Youtube ntv7malaysia 🔥 #icsyvmy #ntv7feelit #mymoodbooster" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ "Matilahnak (Astro Citra)". Myinfotaip. 22 Jun 2018. Archived from the original on 27 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  38. ^ "Jenaka Kampung Kalut | J.K.K Musim 2 (TV3)". MyInfotaip. 28 November 2016. Archived from the original on 2 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.

Further reading

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