PaperSeni started in 2025, with the purpose to share and preserve the voices and stories of Malaysian arts and artists, beyond their works.
To tell the story behind the story.
The revitalized art gallery is set to redefine cultural landscape.
Malaysia’s art coverage is weakening day-by-day.
With less people interested in reading about the arts through traditional media (newspapers, magazines, books), the coverage around the arts have become limited, reserved for only the established institutions that might gain the most readership.
With less budget, fewer writers, and waning interests, the arts coverage surrounding Malaysian artists is at a risk.
Social media might seem like an obvious alternative, but with its fast-paced nature that targets users’ short attention span, it chases virality rather than prompt discussion.
That’s where PaperSeni comes in, utilising both the traditional media giants of the old and the modern social network of the new to be able to tell the story of Malaysian arts that may not have been told otherwise.
Revitalising Malaysian Arts
One Article at a Time
Through working with writers with various expertise and interests, we aim to create, collect, and curate stories both new and old.
We want stories about the underground indie band making waves, the photographer capturing portraits of mamak waiters, the documentary denied a screening permit, the theatre show chronicling the history of Malaysia through Kadazan rap.
We want to discover and tell the stories of Malaysian art.
PaperSeni: Malaysian Theatre Database
A spin-off of our mission, PaperSeni’s Malaysian Theatre Database collects and preserves information regarding Malaysian theatre productions, cast, crew, venues, and companies.
We wanna collect shows both old and new, so if you have a production that you’d like to see on there, or an upcoming one you want to share, contact us for more details on getting it onto the site!
Meet our team
Our collection of writers, editors, and developers.
Darren
Writer, Admin
[email protected]
Darren Tio is a KL-based writer who grew up in Pontianak, Indonesia, and has a degree in English with Creative Writing. His reviews have been published in News Straits Times and MalaysiaKini.
He’s really hoping someone else will come along to help him with this website, but for now he’s the only one handling PaperSeni.
FAQs
How do I become a writer for PaperSeni?
Send us an email asking you wanna be a writer for PaperSeni, along with a sample of your writing.
Can I submit my piece to PaperSeni?
Yes, please, we’ll beg for it. We’re always on the lookout for exciting pieces of local arts journalism or coverage, especially if it hasn’t received widespread coverage. You can send your piece to our email.
How is PaperSeni funded?
Afghan blood money.