KUALA LUMPUR/BANGKOK (22 July 2026) – The UN Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for South-East Asia and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Malaysia, in partnership with Kuala Lumpur-based social impact production team untitled kompeni, have launched a new season of the Dari Dapur ('stories from the kitchen') campaign, which aims to place human stories and shared experiences – of Malaysians, migrants and refugees – at the heart of public narratives on migration.
Malaysia is home to one of the region’s most diverse populations, shaped by a rich history of migration. The country hosts between 2.6 and 5.5 million migrants, both documented and undocumented, according to various sources from the Government of Malaysia and World Bank, and around 215,600 refugees and asylum seekers, according to UNHCR. Migrant workers constitute around one-fifth of the labour force. Against this backdrop, Dari Dapur seeks to create space for meaningful conversations about migration through the universal language of food.
“In moments when narratives of division take hold, Dari Dapur reminds us of the power of sharing a meal and a conversation. This new season shines a light on the hopes, dreams, and everyday realities that connect us all, no matter where we come from. These stories highlight our common humanity and the dignity and respect every person deserves," said Cynthia Veliko, Representative at the UN Human Rights Regional Office for South-East Asia.
"Values like respect, understanding, and acceptance have long been woven into Malaysia’s social fabric, and Dari Dapur helps bring these values to life in our communities,” said Heba Abdellatif, IOM Chief of Mission in Malaysia. "We all have a role to play in building inclusive communities, challenging harmful narratives, and amplifying stories that foster understanding."
First launched in 2023, Dari Dapur brings Malaysians, migrants, and refugees together to bond over their love of good food, in a format where each recipe comes with its own story. The campaign was designed based on research commissioned by UN Human Rights, which found that a clear majority of Malaysians recognise the benefits migration brings to the country’s economy and society while they find discussions about migration difficult to engage in. The study also found that after watching Dari Dapur, Malaysians interviewed were better able to appreciate realities of migrants’ lives and recognise the common humanity that connected them with people on the move.
Funded by the Malaysia-UN Sustainable Development Goal Trust Fund, this season will feature five short films showcasing public figures from different walks of life joining migrants and refugees in their kitchens, to cook recipes from their home countries together, to exchange stories of each other’s lives, families, and journeys, and to learn what we all have in common.
Joining the first episode of this season, Ili Ruzanna, a Malaysian radio DJ, content creator, and host of 30 Hari Rindu Rasa Ibu (‘30 Days of Missing My Mom’s Cooking’) – a series dedicated to the stories and recipes of mothers across Malaysia – brought her passion for food and human connection to the Dari Dapur table.
"Sharing the same meal reminds us that what we have in common is far greater than what sets us apart," she said. "Eating another mom's food brought back memories of my mom's recipes and stories. I left with a deep sense of how much we share as human beings, no matter where we come from."
“We need more stories that inspire and connect us, rather than those that tear us apart,” said Elroi Yee, producer of the Dari Dapur series. “I hope viewers in Malaysia and beyond will realise that deep down, we are all made of the same ingredients, and that we can find unity in our differences.”
ENDS
Watch the first episode of this Dari Dapur season at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=694RhbYmIM4
Follow and learn more about Dari Dapur – Instagram: @daridapur.my; Facebook: @daridapur.my and Youtube: @daridapur_my
Photos from the first episode can be found here.
For more information and media requests, please contact:
Wannaporn Samutassadong - @email
UN Human Rights (OHCHR) is the leading UN entity on human rights. We represent the world’s commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We have a unique role to promote and protect all human rights, help empower people, and assist governments in the Asia Pacific region and around the world.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and a part of the United Nations system. In Malaysia, IOM works with government, civil society, communities, and other partners to promote safe, orderly, and humane migration while fostering inclusion, resilience, and social cohesion.
Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ‘untitled kompeni’ works with local communities to make documentaries and multimedia tools for social impact and community empowerment.
UN Human Rights’ #StandUp4Migrants initiative aims to change the way we tell stories about migrants and migration, bringing communities together and upholding the human rights of migrants no matter who they are or where they come from.