Page 141 - 马佛青55周年特刊

In 2024, the landscape of Freedom of Religion or Belief Opinion Articles
(FoRB) in Malaysia witnessed a complex interplay
between judicial assertiveness and the expanding
reach of religious conservatism. While the judiciary
took notable steps to uphold constitutional rights—

particularly in high-profile cases like Loh Siew Hong’s—
these gains were overshadowed by legislative proposals
and social tensions that increasingly restricted the rights

of religious minorities, especially non-Muslims. Amid
growing polarisation, heightened enforcement of Syariah
laws, and the politicisation of religious sentiments, the
space for pluralistic belief systems continued to shrink.

This article examines the key developments in Malaysia’s
FoRB situation during 2024, the implications for non-
Muslim communities, and strategies for coping with and

addressing these challenges.

Judicial Developments and Legislative Regressions

ne of the most important legal milestones in 2024 was the
O Federal Court’s decision in Loh Siew Hong’s case, which
reaffirmed the constitutional requirement that both parents must consent
to a child’s religious conversion. This decision echoed the earlier
precedent set in M. Indira Gandhi’s case and marked a significant
victory for civil rights advocates. However, this judicial progress
occurred alongside increasingly assertive legislative initiatives, such as
the proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction)
Act 1965 (RUU355) and the Mufti (Federal Territories) Bill 2024. These
proposals, if enacted, could expand the powers of Syariah courts and
religious authorities in ways that might erode civil liberties and affect
non-Muslim communities.

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