Surprise! Mat Dan gets Malaysian PR
ROSLI ZAKARIA and HANNEEYZAH BARIAH BAHRAIN
New Straits Times26 February 2018
KUALA NERUS: Some know him as Muhammad Kareef Daniel Abdullah while most people know him simply as Mat Dan. The Englishman, who captured the hearts of Malaysians with his mastery of Bahasa Melayu, in particular the Terengganu dialect, is now a permanent resident (PR) of the country
Mat Dan, however, had no idea of his new PR status until it was announced by none other than Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the opening of the Terengganu Expo 2018 at the state Sports Complex here this evening.
Zahid pulled off the surprise as he was commenting on the progress and development which Terengganu has enjoyed, including the success of marketing its traditional menu of “nasi dagang” and “keropok lekor” abroad. "In fact, we have a well-known icon in Terengganu, Mat Dan, and I have approved Mat Dan’s application to become a permanent resident of Malaysia," he said. Zahid's announcement was met with a roar of approval from the 40,000-strong crowd. Mat Dan, who appeared stunned, joined Zahid onstage before shaking his hand.
Englishman Muhamad Kareef Danial Abdullah or better known as Mat Dan is now a permanent resident of Malaysia. Bernama pic.
Mat Dan, who is now Muslim, is married to a Terengganu native. Speaking at a press conference later, Zahid said Mat Dan has fulfilled the criteria and conditions of becoming a Malaysian PR. "We evaluated his security status as well as his contributions towards helping promote Terengganu’s products, on top of having fulfilled other criteria," he said. Meanwhile, Mat Dan, whose English name is Daniel Tyler, 29, said he was surprised and grateful over the development. "Alhamdulillah (Thank god), I’m thankful for this surprise announcement. "It was always my dream to obtain PR status ever since coming to Terengganu in 2009. I have fallen in love with this country and the ‘turtle state’," he said. © New Straits Times Press
Englishman Muhamad Kareef Danial Abdullah or better known as Mat Dan is now a permanent resident of Malaysia. Bernama pic.
Mat Dan, who is now Muslim, is married to a Terengganu native. Speaking at a press conference later, Zahid said Mat Dan has fulfilled the criteria and conditions of becoming a Malaysian PR. "We evaluated his security status as well as his contributions towards helping promote Terengganu’s products, on top of having fulfilled other criteria," he said. Meanwhile, Mat Dan, whose English name is Daniel Tyler, 29, said he was surprised and grateful over the development. "Alhamdulillah (Thank god), I’m thankful for this surprise announcement. "It was always my dream to obtain PR status ever since coming to Terengganu in 2009. I have fallen in love with this country and the ‘turtle state’," he said. © New Straits Times Press
