A rare ray of sunshine for Malaysia but…

Many would agree that peace is one of the basic prerequisites for society’s advancement politically, socially and economically.

On the other hand, wars and social discord retard progress, damage infrastructure and displace people. They also divert resources needed for the upliftment of society. Holidays and leisure are also affected. Safety and stability are pivotal, especially in a world that has become less peaceful.

Malaysia’s peace ranking

So, when the Institute for Economics & Peace published its 2026 Global Peace Index, which ranks 163 independent states and territories by their level of peacefulness, I was glad to see Malaysia in 12th place, up from 13th last year.

The index uses 23 indicators across three domains: societal safety and security, ongoing domestic and international conflict, and militarisation.

Twelfth spot is not a bad ranking despite the occasional challenges the country faces. It is refreshing news at a time when we are inundated almost daily with news of people in positions of power being charged in court for corruption, criminal breach of trust and abuse of power.

The index is not a ranking for holidays, but it is a useful guide for tourists and travellers concerned about the safety and stability of a country. That said, visitors should note that this is not a travel advisory. They should check official guidance before going on holiday to any country.

Malaysia was ranked above countries such as Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Vietnam, Taiwan and South Korea. That gives tourists a sense of assurance that Malaysia is still a relatively safe place to visit.

The world’s 20 most peaceful countries in 2026, based on their overall Global Peace Index score:

For all the negative news we read about Malaysia, we can take some pride in its ranking.

China was among the countries recording the largest declines in the Asia-Pacific region, falling to 118th globally, mainly due to changes in the safety and security domain. Cambodia also saw a notable deterioration, ranking 96th globally.

A glimpse of the report shows that some countries in Asia are among the world’s most peaceful, while others need to address safety and security concerns. A tarnished reputation can put off tourists, and negative reviews can deter investment.

Governments need to address concerns about tourism and publish information on safety and security through official tourism websites and tourist centres to allay fears. Countries seeking to promote tourism must ensure that tourists feel safe and welcome. Peace and security are the most valuable tourism assets any country can promote.

Counting our blessings

That is why I view the negative political developments and sensitive social, racial and religious issues that surface from time to time in a much broader perspective. Like many in Malaysia, I am concerned, but I do not get hypersensitive about these issues.

Against this gloomy backdrop, it is the occasional ray of sunshine that soothes my feelings about some of the negativity in the country, especially the growing number of people charged with corruption.

I count my blessings we have been spared catastrophes such as the wars in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine. The earthquakes in Venezuela and Japan, the catastrophic flooding and landslides along the Nepal-Tibet border, and the deadly earthquake in Tibet are a timely reminder of how blessed Malaysia has been.

Even the weather has been generally kind to us, despite the recent peat and forest fire smoke haze that affected millions of people in Malaysia. This summer, many cities in Europe have endured sweltering heat, with temperatures of 40-45C. It is a blessing from above that we do not have to experience such harsh weather.

I have travelled widely across all five continents, visited more than 50 cities and lived in Stockholm for over four years. I can tell you that all countries have their challenges and problems, some far worse than Malaysia’s.

So, I take the challenges we face in Malaysia in my stride.

Guarding social harmony

We need to reflect on our blessings in spite of the nefarious characters who stir up racial and religious sentiments to create a chasm among the people. This threatens our very social fabric.

Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin raised concerns in Parliament about growing racial and religious polarisation dividing our young children. He said a primary school teacher had approached him with serious concern about the behaviour of primary school pupils. He said some pupils did not want to sit next to their classmates because of religious differences, citing the food they ate or religious symbols they wore.

These are disturbing claims emerging in our schools. They should be investigated and addressed sensitively, while avoiding the stigmatisation of any community.

It is time for politicians on both sides of the political divide to cool down the religious and racial rhetoric. They must cross party lines to emphasise the importance of harmony and respect for the religious beliefs and cultural values of everyone in Malaysia.

We must never take the prevailing peace and harmony for granted. We should look upon it as a continuous work in progress.

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