Pray for Malaysia
Learn about and pray for Malaysia in just 5 minutes per week!
Receive one email per week for 13 weeks about Malaysia’s history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.
WEEK 1
Prayercast
Pray along with a local believer for their nation.
WEEK 2
Operation World
Pray through Operation World's country profile.
WEEK 3
World Watch List
Pray through the country's persecution profile.
WEEKS 4-13
People Groups
Pray for the country's 10 largest unreached people groups.
Introduction
Malaysia is a diverse nation with a blend of cultures, faces both unity and division. Its rich cultural tapestry connects it to India, China, Indonesia, and the Islamic world, fostering a cosmopolitan atmosphere. However, this diversity also hinders national cohesion.
Malaysia’s rapidly growing economy coexists with issues such as piracy and a troubling sex trafficking black market. The country’s proximity to the “Golden Triangle” contributes to opium production.
Despite the signing of peace accords, ethnic tensions persist, leading to discrimination against minority groups, especially indigenous Indians.
Malaysia embraces various religions, including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity, but the state prohibits Christians from witnessing to Muslims. The need for translated religious materials and funding for distribution remains essential. Malaysians have faced oppression, but their true worth is found in the eyes of Christ.
Read on to learn how you can pray for Malaysia.
Fast Facts
Capital City: Kuala Lumpur
Population: 34 million (50% unreached)
People Groups: 182
10/40 Window: Yes
Major People Groups: 28% Malay; 10% Kedah Malay; 6% Tamil; 5% Han Chinese (Min Nan); 5% Han Chinese (Hakka)
Major Religions: Muslim 56%, Chinese folk-religions 18%, Christian 9%, Hindu 6%, Buddhist 5%, Ethnic religions 3%
Language: Malay, Chinese, Tamil
GDP Per Capita: $26,400
Literacy Rate: 95%
Did you know? Malaysians typically speak multiple languages, including Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil, and various indigenous dialects.
Pray for the unreached people groups of Malaysia
The relatively small nation of Malaysia is home to over 180 people groups and one of the largest frontier people groups in the world, the Malay.
Below are the 10 largest unreached people groups in Malaysia:
| Name | Religion | Population |
| 1. Malay | Islam | 13,951,000 |
| 2. Minangkabau | Islam | 1,000,000 |
| 3. West Coast Bajau | Islam | 258,000 |
| 4. Nepali | Hinduism | 249,000 |
| 5. Sulu Tausug | Islam | 232,000 |
| 6. Buginese | Islam | 154,000 |
| 7. Telugu South Asians | Hinduism | 126,000 |
| 8. Rohingya | Islam | 95,000 |
| 9. Acehnese | Islam | 90,000 |
| 10. Bengali South Asians | Islam | 87,000 |
Pray for Christians being persecuted
Malaysia is ranked #49 on the 2024 World Watch List published by Open Doors.
Malaysia’s constitution expects every ethnic Malay to be Muslim. A convert to Christianity is likely to experience extreme pressure from their family to return to Islam.
If the authorities find out about their faith, they can be arrested, interrogated about their Christian network – and potentially imprisoned or sentenced to death. All minority religious groups and NGOs, including established churches, are monitored by the authorities. With elections due this year, Malaysia is becoming more conservatively Islamic.
World Watch List
You can learn about Christian persecution and pray for our brothers and sisters who being persecuted around the world by praying through the Open Doors’ World Watch List.
“[God] has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
Pray for Malaysia
“Slow drip” your learning and prayers for Malaysia: its history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.