Trusted for generations. Working for today.
MSRI has served communities in Malaysia since 24 November 1959. Today we provide education, protection and food security for urban refugee and asylum-seeker families, alongside marginalised Malaysian households.
These are the figures MSRI publishes, shown with their reporting periods. They are point-in-time snapshots, not cumulative totals. How to read our impact reporting
What we do
What we run today
What MSRI runs today, each with a published scope and reported results. Completed programmes are documented separately and labelled as historical.
2011 – present · SSC programme, Grade 1 to IGCSEEducation
Schooling from Grade 1 through to IGCSE for children who cannot access Malaysian public schools.
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Ongoing, monthly · Sahabat Food Aid 2018 – 2021 · Food Bank 2021Food Aid
Monthly food boxes for refugee and asylum-seeker households, alongside food rescue and direct distributions.
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Who we are
A Malaysian institute, founded in 1959
MSRI began as a publisher and research institute. In the 1970s it moved into humanitarian work, and today it serves more than twenty refugee communities from the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia — as well as low-income Malaysian families.
- Founded
- 24 November 1959
- Founder
- Dato' Dr Alijah Gordon
- Registration
- 657776-U
- Communities served
- 20+
Delivery partners
We deliver with partners rather than alone. MSRI states that it has been a UNHCR implementing partner since 2011.
UNHCR Malaysia 
The Lost Food Project (TLFP) 
Together We Can Change the World (TWCCTW) 
Leaderonomics 
National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM) 
Australian Government
Research and publishing
From our publications
The Institute has published continuously since 1959. Recent work examines the state of Malaysian higher education.
Academia’s Search for the Truth
Sharifah Munirah Alatas, Muhammad Adli Musa, Ngo Sheau Shi · 6 February 2026
Addressing Intellectual Imperialism and Mediocrity in Malaysian Universities: The Relevance of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Sharifah Munirah Alatas, Muhammad Adli Musa, Ngo Sheau Shi · 6 February 2026
From New Malaysia to Malaysia Madani: Hopes and Aspirations for Malaysian Academics
Sharifah Munirah Alatas, Muhammad Adli Musa, Ngo Sheau Shi · 6 February 2026
News and updates
From the Institute
- Statement1 September 2026
MSRI reaffirms its commitment to human rights and dignity for all communities in Malaysia
MSRI expresses concern at the volume of hostile rhetoric and unverified claims directed at vulnerable communities in Malaysia, and calls for claims to be verified before they are amplified.
Event20 November 2025MSRI Art Exhibition with Capital Fine Art Auction
An exhibition and auction held in partnership with Capital Fine Art, raising funds for MSRI’s programmes.
How giving works
This website does not process payments. To donate, contact us and we will send our current bank transfer details and issue a receipt. We will also confirm our current LHDN tax-exempt approval before you rely on it. Read the donation detailsPartner with us
We work with foundations, corporate CSR teams and institutional partners on programmes with measurable results. Tell us what you want to achieve and we will tell you honestly what we can deliver.