Religious freedom conditions in Malaysia are challenging due to strict moral policing and laws enforcing favored interpretations of Islam. Blasphemy laws violate FoRB, while national ID policies burden religious conversion. A proposed Mufti (Islamic jurist) bill may enforce religious rulings as laws, limiting non-Muslim rights. Over 110,000 Rohingya refugees have faced negative sentiment and lacked access to education and healthcare, exposing them to exploitation and detention.

Source: People photograph lanterns at a temple decorated to celebrate Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, REUTERS / Harris

RELIGIOUS PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

Raymond Koh

Pastor Raymond Koh (Pastor Koh), is a Christian pastor from Malaysia. Prior to his abduction, he ran an NGO focused on people living with HIV/AIDs, recovering addicts, and single mothers and children. Local Islamic authorities once… Read More >

Recent News

All
Press Releases
Op-Eds
Speeches
Spotlight

USCIRF Releases 2025 Annual Report

USCIRF Releases 2024 Annual Report with New Recommendations for U.S. Policy

USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern

USCIRF Releases Report on National Level Anti-Conversion Laws around the World

USCIRF Releases Updated Blasphemy Factsheet and Blasphemy Law Compendium

View All News

USCIRF Releases 2025 Annual Report

USCIRF Releases 2024 Annual Report with New Recommendations for U.S. Policy

USCIRF Calls for Congressional Hearing after State Department Fails to Designate Nigeria and India as Countries of Particular Concern

USCIRF Releases Report on National Level Anti-Conversion Laws around the World

USCIRF Releases Updated Blasphemy Factsheet and Blasphemy Law Compendium

View Press Releases

The Hill: A glimmer of hope in bringing accountability to religious freedom violators abroad

The Diplomat: Malaysia’s Unwelcoming Shore for Refugees Fleeing Religious Persecution

View Op-Eds
Sorry, no results found.
View Speeches

The Legacy of Blasphemy Laws in Southeast Asia

The Impact of Malaysia’s Dual Legal System on Religious Freedom

Political Instability Fuels Decline for Religious Freedom in Malaysia

Ahmadiyya Muslims Face Persecution, Discrimination, and Hostility

View Spotlight

Publications

Annual Report
Reports, Briefs, and Factsheets

2025 Annual Report

2024 Annual Report

2023 Annual Report

2022 Annual Report

View Annual Report Chapters & Translations

Anti-Conversion Laws Compendium

25th Anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act

The Bureaucratization of Religion in Southeast Asia

Blasphemy and Related Laws in ASEAN Member Countries

View Reports, Briefs, and Factsheets

Congressional Testimony

Congressional Testimony
Government Correspondence

Testimony of Vice Chair Maenza on Global Persecution of Christians

View Congressional Testimony
Sorry, no results found.
View Government Correspondence