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Malaysia... consistently rising GDP since the '80s. Religious freedom for religious minorities. Equal rights for women. Clean, peaceful, and economically vibrant.
The situation of human rights in Malaysia is controversial as there have been numerous allegations of human rights abuses in the country. Human rights groups and foreign governments are generally critical of the Malaysian government and the Royal Malaysian Police.
In February, graphic artist Fahmi Reza was sentenced to one month in jail and a fine for posting a caricature of the prime minister as a clown, and opposition member of parliament Rafizi Ramli was sentenced to 30 months in prison for leaking bank details as part of an effort to expose corruption, highlighting weaknesses in Malaysia’s protection of whistle-blowers.
In March, the government passed the Anti-Fake News law, broad legislation imposing up to seven years in prison for anyone who maliciously spreads “fake news,” deliberately defined vaguely to allow maximum discretion for the government to target critics of UMNO and the government. In April, a Danish citizen was sentenced to one week in prison and a RM10,000 (US$2,384) fine for posting a video criticizing the police’s response to a targeted killing in Kuala Lumpur.
Use of the sedition act continues, with at least three new sedition investigations opened in July and August against individuals accused of insulting Malaysia’s royalty. Despite its election manifesto promising to repeal the Sedition Act, the government had not yet moved to do so at time of writing. The government also backed away from an election commitment to repeal the Official Secrets Act, saying it would instead be amended.
Malaysia restricts the rights of followers of any branches of Islam other than Sunni, with those following Shia or other branches subject to arrest for deviancy. In September, 50 Shia, including children, were arrested in Kelantan for practicing their religion. In April, a high court ruled that members of the Ahmadiyya community, which has been declared “deviant” in Malaysia, cannot be charged with offenses under the Shariah laws governing Muslims in the country.
Discrimination against LGBT people remains pervasive in Malaysia. Federal law punishes “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” with up to 20 years in prison, while numerous state Sharia laws prohibit both same-sex relations and non-normative gender expression, resulting in frequent arrests of transgender people.
The US is often accused of human rights abuses as well. A lot of non-Islamic countries have fairly draconian laws. In Thailand, for example, you can get a decade in prison for insulting a member of the Royal Family.
In Singapore, you can get caned for vandalizing public property. In Hong Kong, you can get death for trafficking drugs.
Malaysia is a Muslim majority country that is peaceful, prosperous, and very multicultural. I've lived there myself before and just returned for a visit last month.
You’re saying Malaysia is equal to the US in terms of human rights? Lol
The requisite was to name a Muslim majority country that is not 'a disaster in terms of human rights, economy or military'.
I've done that.
The LGTBQ community may disagree.
Discrimination against LGBT people remains pervasive in Malaysia. Federal law punishes “carnal knowledge against the order of nature” with up to 20 years in prison, while numerous state Sharia laws prohibit both same-sex relations and non-normative gender expression, resulting in frequent arrests of transgender people.
Pervasive definition: (especially of an unwelcome influence or physical effect) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people.
