Ulu Tiram, Malaysia

Living in Ulu Tiram means accepting the ever-present threat of terrorist attacks. In May 2024, a lone assailant fatally stabbed and shot two police officers at the local station, leaving one other injured. While authorities claimed the attacker had no ties to the militant group Jemaah Islamiyah, the incident sparked a crackdown that saw five of his family members charged with terrorism-related offenses. Bureaucracy is also a persistent headache, with the previous 24/7 police station policy now shuttered at 10 PM nightly. Ulu Tiram is best suited for those unfazed by the lingering shadow of extremism and willing to navigate the region's heavy-handed security measures.