#43 in Christian persecution, Malaysia
Country rank
43Last year’s rank
50Region
AsiaPopulation
33 181 000Christians
3 054 000Main Religion
Islam
43Malaysia
Every ethnic Malay is expected to be Muslim, and Malaysia’s constitution says that to leave Islam is punishable by death, although this has never been implemented.
Anybody who comes to know Jesus from a Muslim background reveals their faith to their family, they are likely to experience extreme pressure to return to Islam and hostility from their neighbourhood. The family may try to ‘protect’ the family by quickly marrying their daughter or son to a Muslim. If a Sharia judge agrees, girls can be married off below the age of 16.
New Christians could be arrested, interrogated about their Christian network, pressured to name church leaders and potentially imprisoned or sentenced to death. Christians from longer-standing denominations, like Roman Catholics and Methodists, are monitored and watched by the authorities. Non-traditional Protestant groups are purposely targeted since they tend to attract more converts and be more active in sharing the Gospel with Muslims.
There is evidence that state-supported plans are in place to attempt to convert Christian communities to Islam. More conservative Islamic political parties seem to be gaining increasing power and support in Malaysia.
Meet “Susanna”
“I’ll run to God, because He’s the only One I can depend on and He always turns up for me.”
Susanna Koh, whose husband Pastor Raymond was abducted and is still missing.
Please pray
That the legal situation for Malaysian Christians will improve after the elections.
That the authorities will stop interfering in Christian gatherings.
That Malaysian Christians will know God’s love for them and reflect it strongly to others.
How does Open Doors support our family in Malaysia?
Open Doors works with local church partners in Malaysia to provide discipleship training, Bibles and Christian books and socio-economic assistance.
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Recent news
Susanna Koh seeks justice for her husband, Pastor Raymond’s, abduction
25 July 2023
Discipleship programs are leaving an impact on young believers | Malaysia
21 November 2022
Today, pray and speak out for Malaysian Pastor Raymond
7 June 2018