Ash Raja and Jonathan Dexter are determined to change this through their social media platform, “Small Towns Malaysia”. They post compelling videos of Malaysia’s small towns, telling their unique stories through a combination of slow-moving scenes, intimate close-ups, and stunning drone shots.
“If you really want to experience Malaysia, its culture and people, you have to explore the small towns,” Ash, 34, said.
Since posting their first video on Batang Berjuntai, Ash’s hometown, in 2022, they have traversed the breadth and length of Malaysia, showcasing approximately 80 small towns such as Papan and Lenggong in Perak, Kampung Sungai Melayu in Johor, Bario in Sarawak, and Buayan in Sabah.
Along the way, they have amassed many followers: presently, they have over 200,000 on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
“Many people who live in Kuala Lumpur but hail from small towns feel really proud when they see videos about their hometowns,” said Jonathan, also 34.
Out of the many locations they have visited, Bario has left the biggest impression upon them. “The environment is beautiful. The people are great and so is the food,” Ash shared.
“It’s unlike any other place in Malaysia,” Jonathan added.
The duo typically spend at least three days in each town. Although they conduct research beforehand, the locals prove to be a valuable source of information as they are often willing to share about the town’s history and recommend places to visit.
Indeed, Ash and Jonathan speak fondly of their warmth and hospitality. Some have generously welcomed them into their homes. At morning and night markets, vendors insist on letting the pair try their food for free.
They also find it heartwarming to witness the harmony among people of various races that reflects the beauty of multicultural Malaysia. Ash recalled encountering an elderly woman with dementia in Bukit Mertajam, Penang.
“She was with her daughter, and they were walking to the market. As it was very crowded, the elderly woman waited at a coffee shop. The people at the shop took care of her, although she was Chinese and the establishment was run by an Indian-Muslim family.”
Big plans for small towns
Ash and Jonathan were schoolmates who ended up in the same photography class in college, during which time their friendship blossomed. They later started J&A Productions, a photography and videography company.
With clients in the hospitality industry, they often travelled for work and were at Kampung Air Batang in Tioman when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was imposed in 2020. There, they found themselves charmed by its beauty and its people.
“The community took care of each other. When someone couldn’t find food during the MCO, others provided,” Ash recalled.
It birthed within them a desire to share the beauty of Malaysia’s small towns.
Today, above and beyond documenting these locations in their videos, they hope to boost their economy by doing TikTok live sessions when they visit morning, night or tamu markets to showcase the fresh produce and other goods these towns have to offer.
For their efforts, “Small Towns Malaysia” was awarded by Tourism Malaysia for Best Content of the Year in 2023, while Jonathan and Ash also featured on the Prestige “40 under 40” list that year.
And while they still run J&A Productions, which keeps them busy, they have plans to take “Small Towns Malaysia” further.
Next, they aim launch a TikTok shop featuring products from local artisans. They also hope to produce jerseys representing the many towns and states in the country.
So, as a brand-new year unfolds, Ash and Jonathan remain steadfast in their mission of unveiling the beauty of Malaysia – one small town at a time.
Follow ‘Small Towns Malaysia’ on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.