Malaysia
In Malaysia, the human rights landscape in 2026 is defined by a push for institutional reform under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s "MADANI" government, contrasted by a persistent crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights and the continued use of restrictive laws to silence critics.
As of early 2026, the primary human rights concerns include:
1. Freedom of Expression and "Repressive" Laws
Despite promises of reform, authorities continue to use broad legislation to criminalize dissent.
The Sedition Act & CMA: The government frequently uses the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) to investigate journalists and activists. In January 2026, SUHAKAM (the national human rights commission) condemned the investigation of a journalist for asking questions about racial discrimination, calling it "punitive over engagement."
Censorship: In late 2024 and 2025, Parliament passed amendments to the CMA that expanded the government's authority to censor online content. A new Online Safety Act 2025 was also introduced, which critics argue provides a backdoor for arbitrary content removal under the guise of child safety.
Legal Wins: A July 2025 court ruling struck down parts of the Peaceful Assembly Act that penalized organizers for failing to give five days' notice, though police still frequently block protests near Parliament.
2. Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Persons
Malaysia has seen a significant escalation in state-sponsored intimidation of the LGBTQ+ community.
Event Cancellations: In January 2026, the "Glamping with Pride" retreat was canceled following intense state-led harassment and police reports.
Raids and "Rehabilitation": Authorities conducted raids on wellness centers and hotels in late 2025 and early 2026 for being "gay-friendly." Additionally, several state religious councils have publicly called for LGBTQ+ individuals to enter state-run "rehabilitation" programs.
Criminalization: Same-sex acts remain illegal under the federal Penal Code and various state Sharia laws, with Muslim trans individuals facing the highest risk of prosecution and physical abuse in custody.
3. Refugees, Migrants, and Forced Labor
Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, leaving roughly 210,000 refugees (mostly Rohingya) without legal status.
Indefinite Detention: Authorities escalated immigration raids in 2025, arresting over 34,000 people. Many are held in immigration detention centers where overcrowding is severe. The UN has had no access to these facilities since 2019.+2
Exploitation of Migrants: UN experts issued a "renewed alarm" in late 2025 regarding the systemic debt bondage and fraudulent recruitment of Bangladeshi workers.
Policy Response: The government launched the National Action Plan on Forced Labour (2026–2030) in December 2025, aiming to eliminate the practice by 2030 through better enforcement in the electronics and palm oil sectors.
4. Criminal Justice and the Death Penalty
Abolition of Mandatory Death Penalty: Following the 2023 reforms, re-sentencing processes have successfully reduced the death row population from 1,300 to roughly 140 inmates by early 2025.
Corporal Punishment: While the mandatory death penalty is gone, the law still requires judicial caning (whipping) for many offenses. Human rights groups argue this constitutes torture under international law.+1
Detention Without Trial: The Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) remains in use, allowing for 28-day detentions without judicial oversight. A review of the act is currently being debated in Parliament.
5. Indigenous Rights (Orang Asli)
Land Disputes: The Orang Asli (Peninsular Malaysia) and indigenous groups in Sabah and Sarawak continue to struggle against logging and plantation expansion on their ancestral lands.
Statelessness: Indigenous communities in remote areas often lack civil documentation, which prevents children from attending government schools or accessing public healthcare.