S01E21 - The (Im-)possibilities of Public Atheism in Malaysia

This academic article explores the social and political status of atheism in Malaysia, a nation where national identity is deeply intertwined with Islamic and theistic principles. The authors characterize Malaysia as a post-plural society, arguing that while religious diversity is celebrated, it is organized under a framework that necessitates a belief in God and prioritizes Malay-Muslim identity. Consequently, atheism is often viewed as a "social symptom" or threat that challenges the country's foundational ideology, the Rukun Negara. The text analyzes the 2017 controversy surrounding an atheist gathering to illustrate how political and religious leaders use public indignation to reinforce conservative orthodoxy. However, the sources also highlight instances where interfaith dialogue and online spaces have allowed for limited public expressions of non-belief. Ultimately, the research demonstrates the paradoxical reality where atheism is simultaneously marginalized as a danger to the state and utilized as a tool for defining the boundaries of Malaysian citizenship.Citation: Duile, Timo, Ahmad Faizuddin Ramli, Willie Poh Kaw Lik, and Muhammad Aiman Abdul Fatah. 2025. “The (Im-)Possibilities of Public Atheism in Malaysia.” Asian Studies Review 49(3):624–41. doi:10.1080/10357823.2025.2450039.