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Washington, DC –The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:
Malaysia Country Update – This report examines the complex dynamics of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Malaysia. The country’s dual legal system of Shari’a and civil courts often privileges Islamic law and restricts dissenting interpretations of its principles. Furthermore, the state frequently discriminates against disfavored Muslim groups it views as representing “deviant” or “liberal,” targeting members with bans, raids, and arrests. Authorities continue to actively pursue blasphemy prosecutions for religious expression deemed insulting to Islam, while efforts to elevate moral policing according to the official interpretation of Shari’a have likewise increased state use of coercive tactics such as surveillance, public shaming, and prosecution. Despite these systematic and ongoing challenges, Malaysia’s federal government at times demonstrates some willingness to maintain institutional integrity and constitutional norms in ways that do not fully undermine freedom of religion or belief.
In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department place Malaysia on its Special Watch List (SWL) for engaging in or tolerating ongoing and systematic violations of religious freedom. Other recent USCIRF reporting provided additional analysis related to FoRB in Malaysia, including a report on refugees fleeing religious persecution and a report on the bureaucratization of religion in Southeast Asia.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion or belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at mThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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