Religion

Malaysia is a multi-religious society, but Islam is the official religion of the country. The four main religious are Islam (60.4% of the population according to government census figures in 2000), Buddhism (19.2%), Hinduism (6.3%), and Christianity (9.1%, mostly in East Malaysia, i.e. Borneo). Until the 20th century, most practiced traditional beliefs, which arguably still linger on to a greater degree than Malaysian officialdom is prepared to acknowledge.
Although the Malaysian constitution theoretically guarantees religious freedom, in practice the situation is not so simple. Non-Muslims often experience restrictions in activities such as construction of religious buildings. Meanwhile Muslims are obliged to follow the decisions of Syariah courts. Whether Muslims may freely leave Islam is not yet legally clear.
Generally one who witches to leave Islam makes a legal declaration, but this is still not recognized by the Malaysian civil courts. One is said to have to obtain a declaration of apostasy with a Syariah Court, but the court will not generally grant one.
Malaysians tend to personally respect one another’s religious belief, with inter-religious problems arising mainly from the political sphere.