Xenophobia in Malaysia

By states

Penang

In 2014, the Penang state government conducted a referendum that resulted in a ban on foreigners cooking local cuisines. The law has been criticised by foreign nationals and prominent local figures, including the well-known chef Redzuawan Ismail, who expressed opposition to the ruling.

Johor

In Johor, there are frequent complaints regarding Singaporeans who cross the border to take advantage of Malaysia's lower prices, which are due to the weaker Malaysian ringgit compared to the Singaporean dollar. Local residents often blame Singaporean visitors for driving up prices in Johor, particularly in Johor Bahru. Consequently, Singaporeans visiting Johor have occasionally been targeted by criminals, especially for offences such as motor vehicle theft and snatch theft, as Singaporean vehicles are easily identifiable by their distinct licence plates.