SIM Malaysia

Our vision is to see every people group in this country reached with Christ’s love. To achieve this, we aim for all believers in Malaysia to be discipled and equipped with the vision, skills, and resources necessary to proclaim the message of reconciliation with God, in word and deed, among communities where Christ is not known.

Lee Ting Hwong and SIM workers visited to the makeshift houses of refugees illegally built in marshlands. Pic by SIM photographer

Key Ministries

  • Friendship Evangelism among International Students

Malaysia is on track to achieve its target of 250,000 international students by 2030, building on its existing population of 170,000 students from over 160 countries. The nation remains a popular educational destination, particularly for students from China, South Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. To enhance its outreach, SIM actively participates in collaborative efforts with churches and agencies, aiming to share the Gospel of Christ with as many international students as possible during their studies in the country.

  • Outreach to Diaspora Communities

Malaysia has become home to many people groups, with approximately 3 million non-citizens residing within its borders. These individuals are predominantly asylum seekers, refugees, and migrant workers, a significant number of whom originate from least-reached nations, particularly Muslim-majority countries. Many have arrived to live, work, or study without legal status, making these vulnerable diaspora communities particularly susceptible to injustice and exploitation. This situation presents a profound mission opportunity, as God has prepared a mission on Malaysia’s doorstep for believers and churches to rise up, encourage these individuals, and transform lives.
Afghan tailor at Life2Life social enterprise in Malaysia. Pic by SIM photographer
Afghan tailor at Life2Life social enterprise in Malaysia. Pic by SIM photographer

Spiritual Landscape in Malaysia

Malaysia’s religious composition is closely tied to ethnicity: Malays are Muslims, Chinese generally follow Confucianism, Taoism, or Buddhism, and Indians are mostly Hindu. The indigenous people groups in Sarawak and Sabah are generally animists, nominal or syncretic Christians, while those in Peninsular Malaysia are mostly animists or nominal Muslims.
Christianity was introduced between the 16th and 18th centuries through Western colonial influence. Today, the Christian community spans a wide range of denominations, united in faith across ethnic lines. However, public evangelism remains restricted under Malaysian law, so most outreach occurs through community engagement or programs operated by churches and parachurch groups.
A notable trend is the growth of online Christian resources—including literature, worship services, social media, and virtual communities—which support and connect believers across geographic, linguistic, and legal barriers.

Communities Where Christ is Least Known

Many international students and expatriates, particularly those from Muslim-majority countries, arrive in Malaysia having never heard the gospel. Migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers — often living under difficult circumstances — also represent significant unreached populations. Additionally, the indigenous people groups in Peninsular Malaysia, who largely follow animistic beliefs or nominal Islam, remain largely untouched by the good news of Jesus.

Contact SIM Malaysia

Email: Connect@sim.org

Please pray

  • Pray for God to send workers of diverse nationalities to minister to international students on university campuses nationwide.
  • Raise more skilled workers to serve diaspora communities, particularly among migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
  • Pray for spiritual strongholds to be pulled down, enabling local churches and believers to overcome barriers and share the Gospel and love of Christ with all people groups in this country.
  • Foster greater synergistic partnerships with national churches for cross-cultural missions, both locally and globally.

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