and did not refer to any official document. By gender and ethnic group By state or federal territory Current problems The rights of religious minorities in Malaysia, including but not limited to those of Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs, are sometimes described as hindered by the existing legal framework. Islam as the dominant religion Islam is the official religion of Malaysia. The constitution of Malaysia declares that Islam is the only religion of genuine Malay people. According to the Ketuanan Melayu doctrine, the bumiputera or autochtonous populations are required to be Muslims, thereby coupling Malay ethnic identity with Muslim religious identity. Apostasy from Islam, whether to irreligion or to another religion, is against the law; however, the conversion of others to Islam is permitted. In fact, according to some sources, the government actively promotes the conversion to Islam in the country. The law requires any non-Muslim who marries a Muslim to first convert to Islam, any such marriages contracted in violation of the law are ipso facto void. Should a parent adopt Islam, their children are automatically declared Muslims without the consent of either parent. Destruction of religious sites Several Buddhist temples have been demolished by the government under the pretext of having been built on public land. The land in question is then sold to developers for purposes of gentrification. In 2014, some ruins of candi (tomb temple) in Bujang Valley were destroyed by an urban developer, causing an international outcry against attacks on cultural heritage. Notable people See also Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda Ven. Pannavamsa Ven. K. Sri Dhammaratana Ven. K. L. Dhammajoti Ven. Sujiva Ven. Chi Chern Ven. Sumangalo Malaysian Siamese Sri Lankans in Malaysia Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields Wat Chetawan Malaysian Buddhist Institute Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia Buddhism in Southeast Asia Bujang Valley, an ancient Hindu-Buddhist civilisation centred on Kedah References Bibliography External links Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia Bandar Utama Buddhist Society Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia Subang Jaya Buddhist Association Vihara Buddha Gotama Young Buddhist Association Of Malaysia Soka Gakkai Malaysia Religion in Malaysia Malaysia