A recent directive from Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim concerning unauthorised places of worship has sent ripples through the country’s diverse religious landscape. The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism (MCCBCHST) is urging the prime minister to clarify how the “clean-up” initiative will be implemented, particularly for historical sites. For Christians and churches across Malaysia, this directive could usher in a challenging period, potentially leading to persecution if houses of worship are not formally registered. On Feb.