Imagine banners with big, bold red letters, road closures, and megaphones blaring in the streets—activism often conjures a controversial image. Yet, being an activist means facing risks, sometimes putting one’s life and loved ones in danger, and always looming police scrutiny.
Despite this, activists have tirelessly driven change behind the scenes for generations. Strict legislation has attempted to silence them, but their unwavering voices have continued to move the needle in the nation.
In this feature, we highlight eight Malaysian activists, each a trailblazer in their own right, standing for their causes and striving for a better future.
#1: Aidil Iman Aidid – Advocating For Environmental Justice
At just 24 years old, this inspiring eco-warrior has emerged as a significant figure in environmental advocacy. Aidil Iman Aidid started raising awareness about environmental issues close to his heart, encouraging his peers to participate in environmental campaigns and sharing information.
I was inspired to get into climate activism as I understand the concept of climate justice, where everyone should be given fair and equitable resources. – Aidil Iman Aidid, founder of Kolektif Iklim[1]
Aidil has been a communication campaigner for over a year at MyHutan (Malaysian Youth for Forest Action), a youth-led movement powered by Undi18 focused on mobilising sustainable forest action.
He is also the founder of Kolektif Iklim, a youth environmental initiative to strengthen the synergies between climate action and biodiversity protection in Malaysia[2].
On top of everything, Aidil founded Jejak Liar, helping young Malaysians develop biodiversity identification skills. Part of this initiative is The Young Birders Program, a citizen science and bird-watching programme by Jejak Liar for young Malaysians between the ages of 18 and 25 years old[2].
#2: Kalaivanan Ravichandran – Tackling Animal Cruelty
I was just 11. I couldn’t turn away from the puppy. Who else would feed it? So, my friends and I made a pact to keep feeding it with whatever we could sneak from home! – Kalaivanan Ravichandran, president and founder of Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM)[3]
From a young age, Kalaivanan has a soft spot for animals, a trait he inherited from his parents. Years later, despite a career in banking and entrepreneurship, there’s always space for him to advocate for stray animal rights and ending animal cruelty.
Kalai, as he is familiarly known, founded and presided over Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM), which initially was a group of feeders. Soon, they formalised into an organisation in 2019 due to the rising cases of animal cruelty, putting his passion into action – Kalai delved deeper into animal law and is a staunch advocate for stricter enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2015[3].
The law is clear, but the burden of proof falls on the witnesses of such cruelty. Why? Because animals can’t speak for themselves. That’s why I want to help these animals. If I don’t do something, who will? – Kalaivanan Ravichandran, president and founder of Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM)[3]
Under Kalai’s leadership, SAFM has gained recognition for its efforts in combating animal cruelty and promoting animal welfare in Malaysia. He has initiated pet food banks, led rescue missions during floods, and implemented humane methods like trap-neuter-return to manage stray populations. His unwavering commitment has earned him accolades, including the Hero Pandemik title and an award from the APJ Abdul Kalam People Welfare Organisation[3].
#3: Irene Xavier – Championing Women Workers’ Rights
Irene Xavier’s activism was ignited during her student days when she protested against the 1972 University and Colleges Act, which threatened university autonomy and prohibited political activities among students and faculty. Although the protests could not prevent the Act’s passage, it set Irene on a lifelong path of political activism.
Today, Irene, at 73, focuses on the rights of workers in Malaysia. While many Malaysians are increasingly aware of and vocal about their rights, migrant workers, some of whom are undocumented, remain highly vulnerable.
There are many workers who are brought into this country, and they don’t know what they’re getting into. These workers, mostly from poor, developing countries, trust their agents and the contracts they are given, only to find themselves working long hours under harsh conditions, often confined to their living quarters with little freedom of movement. – Irene Xavier, co-founder of Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)[5]
In her early days, she assisted workers in the electronics industry, later, she realised the deep-rooted discrimination of women workers when she started organising women workers’ cooperatives. Irene is the co-founder of Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS), an organisation that enables women workers to form and lead their trade unions. A mission that faces significant hurdles and pushbacks with the restrictive government policies and resistance from existing unions[4]. Her activism led to her imprisonment under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1987.
While organising women workers, the government alleged her of having links to Communist organisations in the Philippines and other countries, accusing her of being part of a larger Communist network planning to infiltrate organisations in Malaysia.
They did beat me, and when they beat me, there was no woman police escort. The reason they beat me was because they claimed I was lying, that they found the truth from other detainees. On that premise, the investigating officer got angry and beat me. – Irene Xavier, co-founder of Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)[6]
However, this experience did not deter Irene from her activism. Through Sahabat Wanita, she continued her efforts, even in the face of death threats for assisting mistreated workers in taking action against exploitative former employers.
It’s a dire situation for the workers. – Irene Xavier, co-founder of Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS)[5]
#4: Wong Kueng Hui – Speaking Up For The Stateless
Wong Kueng Hui bore a burden no 12-year-old should endure. He had to endure bureaucracy to be able to obtain an identification in the nation he was born in. Born to a Sarawakian father and an Indonesian mother, Wong’s path to recognition was fraught with challenges. His father passed away when Wong was 10, and his mother died when he was 17[7].
Without a MyKad, he was halted from taking the Peperiksaan Menengah Rendah (PMR) examination. With no parents to support his claim and lacking a marriage certificate for his parents, Wong faced numerous obstacles in proving his citizenship[7].
When he won his case in the high court in October 2019 and again in the Court of Appeal in January 2020 – Wong thought it was the end of his battle. However, it wasn’t until October 2022 that the Federal Court rejected the government’s attempt to prevent his recognition as a Malaysian citizen[8].
Finally, in 2023, he was recognised as a Malaysian. At 29 years old, he is now seizing every opportunity to live the life he was always meant to have.
Wong’s journey has been marked by various struggles, from working odd jobs to supporting himself to facing discrimination and exploitation due to his stateless status.
Being a stateless, an employer can manipulate and take advantage of you and you would not be able to fight back, just like what happened to me. – Wong Kueng Hui[7]
Today, as director of the independent youth group, Mandiri Borneo, Wong advocates for an end to statelessness in Malaysia. His experiences as a stateless individual have made him acutely aware of the basic human rights and opportunities denied to those without proper documentation. In 2023, Wong stood in front of the parliament to protest the proposed regressive amendments to the citizenship law.
We are living in a modern world. We have social media, a platform where we can make a noise and reach out for help. I believe there are many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) out there that emphathise our predicament and they are willing to help us without asking anything in return. If there are those who don’t know where to start or what to do, they can reach me. The most important thing is that they take a step to move forward… Being stateless is not a crime, so don’t be afraid. – Wong Kueng Hui[7]
#5: Dr James Nayagam – Building A Better Future For Children And Families
Growing up, Dr James Nayagam faced significant economic and social challenges. Despite overcoming these obstacles, he vowed to help others experiencing similar hardships. His advocacy journey began unexpectedly while working in the corporate sector. It started with providing tuition to children living in impoverished settlements.
The experience led him to abandon the financially secure corporate job to pursue his passion for helping children. James then equipped himself with deep knowledge of children’s rights and education.
It has been a journey that began with that one decision, and from there, the sky became the limit. My career expanded, and my travels too. – James Nayagam, Chairman Suriana Welfare Society[9]
Throughout his more than four decades-long activism journey, James has travelled globally, gaining insights and advocating for children’s rights. He has met with influential figures, including Queen Elizabeth II, and has been appointed twice by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to SUHAKAM (the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia), as well as to the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC)[9].
James is also the founder of Suriana Welfare Society, an organisation dedicated to helping vulnerable populations, including single mothers, stateless children, teenagers with drug abuse issues, victims of domestic violence, and the homeless.
He has tirelessly worked to provide aid and intervention for families living in dire conditions, such as those in low-cost housing or Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) flats. These families often face issues like poverty, dysfunctional family dynamics, gangsterism, drug addiction, alcoholism, and domestic violence.
Change comes when we are in the community, not waiting for people to come to [us]. – James Nayagam, Chairman of Suriana Welfare Society Malaysia[10]
In 2021, he established Play & Learn Centers (P&L) within PPR flats, offering a safe space for children aged six to twelve. These centres provide education in English, Moral Studies, and Health Science, aiming to give children a future to look forward to and protect them from falling into criminal activities.
#6: Mustafa Along – Defending Orang Asli Rights
Mustafa Along is a Temiar leader, environmental activist and defender of indigenous rights. Mustafa is the chairman and founder of the Indigenous People’s Network of Kelantan (JKOAK) and has been behind the blockades protecting the forests, and villages and guarding the sanctity of the way of life of the indigenous people.
We started a blockade in Gua Musang back in February 2018, to prevent the companies from coming into our land to clear the trees for their durian plants. – Mustafa Along, chairman and founder of the Indigenous People’s Network of Kelantan (JKOAK)[11]
On the legal front, he has spearheaded efforts against the Kelantan state government to demand land rights for the local indigenous communities. Mustafa’s activism has not come without personal costs; he has faced arrests, lawsuits, harassment, threats of violence, and even death threats in response to his blockade activities. In 2019, he mobilised 200 villagers travelling to Putrajaya to seek the intervention of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad[12]
In one notable legal battle, the Temiar community, represented by JKOAK, applied to strike out an injunction and a statement of claim by a durian plantation company, M7 Plantation. The court found M7’s claims to be unsubstantiated, noting the lack of evidence proving they had a licence from the Kelantan government to operate on the disputed land.
In the same year, the federal administration filed a lawsuit against the Kelantan state government for failing to protect Orang Asli land in Gua Musang. Despite these victories, conflicts continue.
This is an important development. It shows that the government cares about the welfare and wellbeing of the Orang Asli. But this should have happened years ago. The damage to our forests is irreversible. – Mustafa Along, chairman and founder of the Indigenous People’s Network of Kelantan (JKOAK)[11]
This confrontation is part of a broader struggle, as the state of Kelantan does not formally recognise customary land rights for the Orang Asli. As a result, the indigenous people often find themselves in conflict with logging and plantation companies authorised by the state.
Despite the challenges and threats, Mustafa remains steadfast in his commitment to protecting his people’s ancestral lands and their way of life. In 2022, he led 100 Orang Asli members to protest the proposed Nenggiri dam in Gua Musang.
That land is ours. While it’s not written into law, it was verbally agreed upon between the Malaysian government and our forefathers. We’ve been connected to it for thousands of years. The saying is true: if you give an Orang Asli a parang knife and a match and throw him in a forest, he will thrive. But throw him into a city and he will surely die. – Mustafa Along, chairman and founder of the Indigenous People’s Network of Kelantan (JKOAK[11]
#7: Thilaga Sulathireh – Advocating for Equality Amidst LGBTIQ Discrimination
In a country with a dual legal system encompassing both Sharia and civil law, there is a limited number of LGBTIQ defenders in Malaysia. The law disproportionately targets Muslim LGBTQ individuals, placing significant restrictions on the community’s freedom of expression and assembly.
Thilaga Sulathireh was instrumental in organising the Seksualiti Merdeka festival in 2011, which was later banned by the Malaysian government, and misconstrued as a “free sex festival”. The aftermath set a precedent for increased violence against LGBTIQ individuals and led to rampant anti-LGBTIQ measures by the government of the day, including the expansion of cross-dressing laws[12].
Since their volunteering days at the Malaysian AIDS Council (MAC), Thilaga was exposed to the living realities of the LGBTIQ community[13].
Working with MAC allowed me to meet and work with a lot of people … those living with HIV, drug users, sex workers, trans people, and gay men which exposed me to the realities of the world at a young age. I knew about safe sex, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual and reproductive health issues, and all that from a young age. – Thilaga Sulathireh, founder of Justice for Sisters (JFS)[13]
Identifying as non-binary (they/them), Thilaga’s advocacy is propelled by her personal experiences of discrimination and the systemic oppression faced by LGBTIQ individuals in Malaysia. Thilaga founded Justice for Sisters (JFS), an organisation that defends LGBTQ rights in Malaysia.
Beginning as a grassroots campaign in 2010, JFS has evolved into a non-profit that raises awareness about violence and persecution against Malaysia’s Mak Nyah (transwomen) community. JFS also offers legal referrals and fights systemic violence and hate speech against LGBTIQ individuals.
We have laws against LGBT people. There is a lot of structural violence as well as systemic violence, and all these have a huge impact on their lives. On top of all that, we have so much hate speech about the LGBT community which negates the public awareness work that is being done. – Thilaga Sulathireh, founder of Justice for Sisters (JFS)[13]
In recent years, the LGBTIQ community in Malaysia has faced heightened scrutiny and discrimination. The raid of Swatch watches and a Member of Parliament’s proposal to classify LGBTQ individuals as people with mental health problems highlight the ongoing challenges. The marginalised community remains shrouded by misinformation and stigma, struggling for acceptance and equal rights.
But to Thilaga, there are glimmers of hope. In 2021, a Malaysian man won a landmark court challenge against an Islamic ban on sex that was “against the order of nature.” The Federal Court ruled unanimously that the Syariah provision used against the man was unconstitutional and that authorities lacked the authority to enact the law.
Sure, it may not be a super big win but it also means that something is changing which means there is hope. – Thilaga Sulathireh, founder of Justice for Sisters (JFS)[13]
#8: Dato’ Seri Dr Anwar Fazal – A Prominent Voice For The People
A pioneering Malaysian activist renowned for his tireless work in consumer and citizen rights. The turning point in Dato’ Seri Anwar’s life came in 1962 when he attended the International Student Conference in Quebec, Canada, which spurred his passion for activism, human rights, peace, justice, and universalism. In 1969, alongside S.M. Mohamed Idris, he set up the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)[14].
Later on, his efforts expanded globally, ensuring that the voices of consumers from developing countries were heard in international forums. In 1978, he became the first person from the Global South to lead the International Organisation of Consumers Unions (IOCU), now known as Consumers International (CI).
Dato’ Seri Anwar has been the movers of several local and global citizens including the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) formed in 1979, Health Action International (HAI) in 1981 and the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) formed in 1982[15].
A recipient of the Right Livelihood Award in 1982, through his persistence, it has given way to non-governmental organisations burgeoning on the island, with CAP establishment, other organisations such as Aliran, heritage activists, environmentalists, and the umbrella body of civil societies – Penang Forum came into the picture[16].
Awards, rewards, and commendations will further help to keep me connected to nature and it all helps me to keep closer to Mother Nature, as I grew up seeing and living with the world of nature. – Dato’ Seri Dr Anwar Fazal, best known as co-founder of Consumers Association of Penang (CAP)[17]
His pivotal efforts on the island are also evident through the introduction of the Sustainable Penang Initiative (SPI) in the 1990s, leading to community-based projects like Water Watch Penang (WWP), Dato’ Seri Anwar was also behind the development of Youth Park in Penang and founded the Wu Lien Teh Society, a tribute to the Penangite who invented the medical face mask[16]. In 2023, the lifelong activist was honoured as the Living Heritage Treasure by the Penang Heritage Trust.
Explore our sources:
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- UNICEF. (n.d.).Meet the UNICEF Youth Advocacy Champions! Link
- Koshy, E. (2024). Driven by Compassion: Malaysian activist takes bold stand to end animal cruelty and abandonment. New Straits Times. Link
- Balleza, C.M. (1999). Fighting an Uphill Battle. ISIS Women. Link
- Wong, N. (2023). An activist’s decades-long struggle against modern-day slavery in Malaysia. Free Malaysia Today. Link
- Azhar, A. (2017). Beatings, mental torture: Ex-Ops Lalang detainees share horrors. Malaysiakini. Link
- Andrew, L. (2021). A stateless man’s fight to belong. Nabalu News. Link
- Santos, J. (2023). After 16-year ordeal, Sabah-born stateless man finally gets MyKad. The Vibes. Link
- Ismail, A.R. (2020). The Crusader. The Sun. Link
- Faiz, A.M. (2019). Giving A Voice To Those Who In Need. Voiz Asia. Link
- Raslan, K. (2019). The King of Fruits: How Gua Musang Orang Asli natives are fighting to preserve their land. Ceritalah. Link
- Swetzer, L. (2014). Human rights defender’s story: Thilaga Sulathireh from Malaysia. International Service for Human Rights. Link
- Farid, A. (2023). Thilaga Sulathireh, the non-binary activist scoring wins for queer individuals in Malaysia. Coconuts.my. Link
- Right Livelihood. (n.d.) Anwar Fazal. Link
- Fazal, A. (n.d.) Anwar Fazal. Link
- Patel, T. (2022). Hometown Personalities: Past and Present. My Hometown. Link
- Sinnappan, A. (2021). Civil society activist Anwar Fazal is recognised for his lifetime of work. The Vibes. Link
