International Youth Rationalisme Forum 3.0: ‘Exploring Solutions to the Growing Issue of Racial and Religious Extremism in Malaysia from Different Perspectives

Kuala Lumpur, 19 September 2025 –  The International Youth Rationalisme Forum 3.0: Exploring Solutions to the Growing Issue of Racial and Religious Extremism in Malaysia from Different Perspectives’ organised by the International Youth Rationalism Forum Committee gathered speakers of diverse background to encourage discourse and exchanges on addressing social inequality and all forms of discrimination based on race, religion, caste, gender, and superstitious beliefs.

The programme featured four speakers including Eow Shiang Yen, Partnerships & Communications Officer of INITIATE.MY. He analysed how structural factors and public perceptions interact in driving intolerance and division in his session on ‘Unpacking the Roots of Racial and Religious Extremism in Malaysia – Systems and Perceptions’ His presentation also called for systemic reforms such as strengthening legislation on hate speech, advancing restorative justice, and incorporating mediation as an alternative conflict resolution mechanism through community-based approaches.

Armand Azra bin Azlira, a historian and a researcher delivered his sharing on ‘Understanding Malaysia Beyond the Three Races – Inclusivity of the Orang Asli’, while Sharmini Aphrodite, a historian and writer shared Understanding Malaysia Beyond the Three Races – Inclusivity of Sabah and Sarawak, highlighting the need to recognise and integrate Malaysia’s indigenous and East Malaysian communities into national narratives of unity.

International Youth Rationalisme Forum 3.0 closed with a call for Malaysians to think rationally, engage openly, and build bridges of understanding. The forum affirmed that Malaysians can safeguard the nation’s harmony only by committing collectively to inclusivity, ethical communication, and sustainable conflict resolution.

Panelists and the organising committee of the Rationalisme Forum 3.0 recognised the importance of using a third space and open forum in improving inter-ethnic and inter-religious understanding.