https://www.scmp.com/rss/525491/feed Syaza Shukri is a Visiting Senior Fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. She is also an Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science, International Islamic University Malaysia. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Syaza Shukri Syaza Shukri A recent controversy surrounding a surau (prayer hall) in Malaysia appeared straightforward at first. A resident of Taman Seraya, Selangor state, raised concerns about the noise and congestion, particularly during prayer times. Police subsequently investigated the complaint as an attempt to incite provocation and disrupt social harmony. The surau management’s escalation of the complaint to alleged harassment – and the subsequent police report – reflects the persistent challenge of managing... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3355339/malaysias-3r-catch-all-risks-turning-every-grievance-threat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3355339/malaysias-3r-catch-all-risks-turning-every-grievance-threat?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 May 2026 02:00:16 +0000 Syaza Shukri Syaza Shukri Malaysia’s recent enforcements and cancellations linked to LGBTQ-related activities have ignited debate about whether the government is backsliding on reform. Rather than reading these moves purely as contradicting past administrations’ policies, these government actions may be better understood as an attempt to balance two political imperatives. For the political establishment, appearing conservative – and being conservative – remains central to political survival in a context where... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3347361/malaysias-lgbtq-crackdowns-arent-hypocrisy-theyre-politics?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3347361/malaysias-lgbtq-crackdowns-arent-hypocrisy-theyre-politics?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Mar 2026 03:30:15 +0000