In the context of the association between SLE and HLA-DRB1 polymorphism in Malay SLE population in Malaysia, our genotyping analysis of the HLA-DRB1 gene showed that HLA-DRB1*04, HLA-DRB1*12, HLA-DRB1*15, and HLA-DRB1*16 alleles were significantly associated with SLE development in all Malay female SLE patients (with and without LN involvement). Here, HLA-DRB1 is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus.