In 2020, Lin Ariffin established the community television programme Aussie Malaysian TV (AMTV) with one objective in mind - to help unite the Malaysian diaspora living Down Under.
Through AMTV, Lin sought to create a platform where the diaspora could participate, interact, and collaborate in a TV series, while inspiring conversations on issues such as health, property, and self-development, among others.
Six years on, AMTV has grown significantly and covers a wide range of subjects while continuing to bring the Malaysian diaspora and Australians together.
“One thing we hear quite often from the Malaysian diaspora is that it (AMTV) makes them feel seen and connected, especially for those who have been away from Malaysia for many years.
“Sometimes it’s the language, the food, the humour, or simply hearing familiar stories and accents that bring back that feeling of belonging and nostalgia,” Lin told Malaysiakini.
Asked about the initial challenges she faced in establishing AMTV, Lin said it was largely about finding the right resources, gaining visibility, and building financial support as an independent production.
Through persistence, networking, and passion, AMTV grew into an award-nominated platform, receiving two nominations for “Best Linguistically & Culturally Diverse Programme” at Australia’s Antenna Awards in 2021 and 2023.
Beyond connecting Malaysians, Lin said AMTV also serves as a platform to introduce Malaysia’s diversity to Australians.
“For example, in the show, we introduced them to some Malaysian food, and they started asking the names of the dishes/desserts (kuih) and how they’re made.
“The conversation then continued into something else, where they asked about our many cultural celebrations, costumes, traditions, different languages, and our connections to people back home.
“And Season 5 is a significant evolution for AMTV. This season, we are bringing Malaysians and Australians together to share cross-cultural conversations, experiences, and perspectives in a more interactive and relatable way,” she added.
Personal experience
Touching on her personal journey and how it led to her current career, Lin said the idea to start AMTV stemmed from her own experience growing up abroad.
Originally from Kulim, Kedah, Lin spent part of her early childhood in the United Kingdom.
“I think my love for media also runs in the family. My late grandfather, M Zain, acted alongside legendary Malaysian icon P Ramlee in the classic film ‘Labu Labi’ and other movies.
“So, you could say entertainment and storytelling were already in my blood from a young age, and that legacy of storytelling has always stayed with me and influenced the direction I’ve taken,” she said.
Lin said growing up abroad gave her a unique perspective on identity and belonging, while also teaching her the importance of staying connected to her roots.
“Even as a child, I was already trying to understand identity in my own way. I remember once thinking I might be Mexican because there was a girl in my class who looked similar to me.
“It’s a light memory, but it reflects something deeper about how early we start forming ideas of belonging and how identity is shaped by what we see around us before we fully understand our own background,” she said.
After spending another two decades in Australia, Lin said those experiences turned into a curiosity about people, culture, and identity - leading her to establish AMTV.
Cross-cultural conversations
Elaborating on the upcoming Season 5, which will air between July and August, Lin said her team plans to bring the Malaysian diaspora and Australians together through more interactive and relatable cross-cultural conversations.
“We’re proud to showcase Malaysian artistes such as Aaron Lee and Aryssa Gall alongside well-known performer and songwriter Cassidy La Crème, who has built a strong following in Malaysia through her ability to sing in Malay, Mandarin, and other languages.
“We will also feature public sector policy adviser Jane Chelliah from the UK and Teh Hau (career coach) from Canada in the ‘Malaysian Diaspora Spotlight’, as well as university student Fikri Hakimi from Taiping, Perak, in ‘Salam Dari Malaysia’, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” she said.
Lin added that the programme now also has an Australian co-host, David Wright, who comes from a medical background.
She said Wright had never visited Malaysia or experienced Malaysian food and culture before joining the show.
“We actually took him along to film the Ramadan bazaar in Tarneit this year. And it was his first time really experiencing it.
“I could see how keen he was to learn by asking about the different foods, trying things he’d never seen before, and just taking it all in.
“It wasn’t staged at all. It was a very genuine moment of discovery for him throughout the filming process. We even taught him a few Malay words in the studio, like makan, and he picked them up really quickly!
“So, this season is not just about showcasing Malaysians abroad, but connecting more deeply with Malaysia and appreciating the diversity and warmth of our culture,” she added.
Giving voice to all
Asked about her perspective as a media professional on the right-wing movement in Australia, Lin stressed the importance of creating space for different voices and perspectives to be heard.
“As a media professional, I’m very mindful that conversations around politics in Australia, including right-leaning perspectives, can sometimes be quite complex and sensitive, especially across different communities and lived experiences.
“But I also think it’s important to remember that behind any political label are people with lived experiences, concerns, and hopes that shape how they see the world,” she said.
Lin also serves as a committee member for Women in Media Australia, a non-profit movement advancing gender equity and women’s leadership across Australia’s media sector.
She said AMTV creates a space for different voices to be heard in a respectful way and helps bridge gaps between differing views.
“Not in a political sense, and not by trying to change what people believe, but by creating human moments where people can connect beyond labels.
“Whether it’s through food, culture, or shared conversations, it gives both diaspora communities and local Australians a chance to see each other more fully and more personally.
“And I think when people actually sit in the same space and listen to each other’s stories, that’s where real connection begins.
“Ultimately, I believe that even in our differences, we are still part of one shared human story.” - Mkini
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