A new report by Pusat Komas has revealed that racism-related incidents in Malaysia reached a record high of 107 cases in 2025, marking the highest figure documented in over a decade. According to the “Malaysia Racism Report 2025,” this surge represents a significant peak since the monitoring initiative began eleven years ago. The findings indicate that the rise is largely attributed to developments in public discourse and government policy, which accounted for 45 of the total cases recorded during the year.
The study highlights that parliamentary proceedings remain a primary breeding ground for racial narratives, with 43 incidents originating within the August House. These cases often involved xenophobic remarks, religious-based rhetoric, and majoritarian narratives that were officially captured in the Hansard, making them more visible to the public. Researchers noted that the frequency of these incidents tended to fluctuate in tandem with key public debates, reaching a monthly high of 25 cases in August.
Beyond the halls of power, the report identified 19 cases occurring within general social settings, though experts caution that these figures likely represent an undercount. Interpersonal bias, prejudice, and provocation emerged as the largest categories of discrimination outside of institutional frameworks. The report specifically pointed out that while 17 cases of direct provocation were documented, many everyday instances of discriminatory behaviour remain less visible to monitors or are significantly underreported by the victims.
A growing concern highlighted in the 2025 findings is the normalisation of racism within both public and institutional spheres. The report suggests that racial discrimination is no longer confined to isolated outbursts but is increasingly shaped by persistent political narratives. Furthermore, the data does not fully account for the vast amount of racial discourse occurring in online spaces and on social media, suggesting that the actual level of racial tension in the country could be even higher than the reported statistics.
The persistence of these issues continues to impact various sectors of Malaysian life, including employment, education, and public services. Pusat Komas concluded that racism in Malaysia is being sustained through recurring institutional discourse that shapes broader societal tensions. The report calls for a serious re-evaluation of how racial narratives are produced and amplified, particularly by national leaders, to prevent further fragmentation of the country’s social fabric.
