Exploring Kelantan: From Nasi Kerabu to Cultural Traces

In Kelantan, a journey is not merely about moving from one place to another. Each destination holds a story, every dish presents a history, and each tradition demonstrates that diversity can coexist for centuries.

A Malay proverb, ‘Jauh berjalan luas pemandangan, banyak merantau luas pengalaman’ (The further you travel, the broader your views; the more you wander, the richer your experience), aptly describes the experience of exploring Kelantan, a state on the east coast of Malaysia that holds historical traces, cultural wealth, and centuries-old fraternal bonds of the Malay race.

For Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr. Mohamed Fadzli bin Hassan, a visit by Indonesians to Kelantan is not just a tourist trip, but an opportunity to get to know one another and strengthen ties between brothers of the same stock. ‘We hope Indonesians will come to visit their relatives in Kelantan. There is much we can learn about each other because we share a culture,’ Fadzli said while welcoming an AirAsia Indonesia group in Kota Bharu.

According to him, the collaboration between the Kelantan State Government and the airline, which brought Indonesian journalists and content creators, is a strategic step to strengthen bilateral relations while boosting the local community’s economic growth. ‘This cooperation supports the development of Kelantan’s tourism and provides economic benefits to the people,’ he said.

For Fadzli, Malaysia and Indonesia are not foreign nations to one another. They are united by shared cultural roots, language, and traditions. This spirit of brotherhood accompanied the journey through Kelantan, a land offering a blend of history, culture, cuisine, and traditions that continue to thrive from generation to generation.

Visiting Kelantan presents a sensation that feels both close and distinct. The easily understood Malay language, culinary flavours familiar to the Nusantara palate, and historical traces connecting various nations in Southeast Asia make travelling in this state rich with stories.

One interesting tale comes from the Tok Bali area. According to Tok Bali Jetty Manager Dato Mohd Khairey bin Saudi, the name Tok Bali originates from a story about a group of sailors from Bali whose ship was wrecked in the area. They eventually settled and built a small village that slowly developed into an important area in Kelantan. ‘Tok Bali comes from the story of Balinese people who sailed here, their ship broke apart, and they built a village here,’ he said.

The story serves as a reminder that the relationship between the Nusantara and the Malay Peninsula was established long before modern national borders were formed. Today, the Tok Bali Jetty area is being prepared as a new tourist destination and is scheduled to begin operations in early July 2026.