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                                                   Paper no. 155 


MALAYSIA – Playing the Islamic game

by  C.S.Kuppuswamy


Malaysia has a  multiracial   population with approximately 60%  Malays (including bumiputras), 30 % Chinese, 8% Indians and 2%  others.  However it has  been  accepted by the international community as an Islamic country.  According to the constitution (Art.3), the state religion is Islam though in the same breath it also states that freedom of worship is one of the fundamental liberties of the citizen.

 In the last general elections held  in  Nov  ’99   a major segment of Malays voted in favour of the fundamentalist opposition party Parti  Islam Se Malaysia (Pas) to the detriment of the United Malays National  Organisation  (UMNO) the predominant partner of the ruling coalition.  Since then UMNO and Pas are outplaying each other in using Islam to garner the support of the Malays.  In this “holier than thou’ attitude of both these parties  the non-muslims( the Chinese and the Indians ) are getting sandwiched and are apprehensive of the safety of their fundamental rights. 

 The latest in the game is the proposed introduction of a federal religious bill on apostasy. As per the Chambers Dictionary apostasy is “abandonment of one’s religion, principles, or party; a revolt from ecclesiastical obedience, from a religious profession, or from holy orders; defection.”  Such a bill (called the Islamic Faith Protection Bill)  has already been passed in the state of Perlis in North Malaysia.  This proposed bill has caused apprehensions   amongst  different  races and a lot of discussion is taking place.  Dr. Mahathir, the Prime Minister, sensing the turbulent mood, said that the bill is still under examination and that no hasty decisions will be taken. The fact that the proposed bill had the blessings of UMNO to come upto this stage cannot be overlooked.  UMNO  might have brought this bill upto this point to  woo the devout muslims  and will perhaps keep it under wraps only to be brought up at a politically opportune moment.

 There   are   differing   opinions  on what is apostasy – a)  acts  or words detrimental to or  contradicting the  Islamic faith  or b)  any attempt to change the faith and belief or c)  conversion from Islam to any other religion for whatever reason it may be.  There are equally varying interpretations of  the  Koran  for dealing with a person who has committed apostasy.

Government   controlled    media   reports  have  not come out with its views or the views of its readers on this proposed bill or its likely impact on the racial structure of the nation .  The opposition feels that with the introduction of this bill any one can be arrested on vague charges or for supporting deviationist groups.

 In pursuance of their cherished goal of an Islamic state, some of the measures adopted or proposed to be adopted by Pas in the two states controlled by them are: the wearing of veils by the muslim women, banning of unisex hair saloons, ban on karaoke, closure of all betting activities  and eventually to introduce the “hudud” or the Islamic penal code. 

Parallel  measures adopted by UMNO to improve its Islamic image  (or to outplay Pas in this regard) are- taking control over the appointment of the mosque committees by the government, creation of the National Islamic  Action Council and the Malaysian Islamic Welfare council and introduction of new Shariah  laws in some of the states controlled by the ruling coalition.

UMNO  the predominant  party of the ruling coalition has been more liberal in its approach till the last general elections  though it spared no efforts to bring up the Malays economically and socially by its affirmative action.  Dr. Mahathir , the prime minister, for the last two decades has been able to maintain  the fragile balance among the races.  Now, with his frequent pronouncements that this is going to be his last term, some of his current utterances and  actions  to win back the support of  Malays seem to be inappropriate if not rash.  In the opinion of Chandra  Muzaffar, Dy President of Keadilan, UMNO is under the wrong notion that Pas has gained ground because it is Islamic .Hence if the successor to Dr.Mahathir resorts to some strong action like pushing through this religious bill, it may not be in the best interests of the country and UMNO may be falling into the trap set up by Pas.

In one sense, in this one to one battle between Pas and UMNO, the country is becoming more Islamic than before.  The non-muslims  feel  threatened that their businesses  may suffer, personal liberties curtailed and their indulgences  or  entertainment  by way of betting,  karaoke, unisex saloons, massage parlours may all come to an end in the long run.  In a multi racial society, the role of religion in politics, has to be carefully planned and kept under control as it may turn out to be  a  double  edged weapon.

  The common  citizen,  both muslim and non-muslim , does not seem to be happy with the developments .  Dr. Mahathir was always confident that once there is economic development the other social and religious problems could be taken care of .  Consequent to the Anwar episode, the  religious fervour and the disenchantment of  Malays have compounded the problems for the ruling coalition.   Malays in general and the devout and conservative in particular had a fond hope that Anwar will be at the helm of affairs.  He was considered more Islamic  to steer the country giving due importance to the religion and at the same countering Pas  in its efforts.  The verdict on Anwar has polarised  the Malaysian society leading to a realignment of the political forces.  Even some muslim religious groups and  organisations  for women’s rights have raised objections  on the proposed  bill on apostasy. The opposition has dubbed it   as politically motivated.  A researcher had opined that the muslim community may be further divided by this religious bill.

Race has been a major issue in the politics of this country but this time religion also seems to be having  an equal role.  Though it seems to be an Utopian thought, Wan Hashim, a retired malay politician said that “Umno should work towards a coalition with Pas.  Woo them, give them something....".  The ideal will be if Pas turns to be a little more moderate and UMNO learns to adjust with the religious developments in the country.

The need for the country is  aptly  reflected in a letter from a reader to an international weekly – “Malaysia must not deviate from upholding the pluralism, tolerance and understanding that are the hallmark of a multireligious, multicultural and polyglot society.”

 So far  Dr.Mahathir has managed to maintain a balance by affirmative action  for Malays against more enterprising Chinese.   The latest effort by Mahathir appears to be more to consolidate Muslim votes rather than any action to suppress the minorities.  Yet the minorities have cause to worry as the last general  election has provided considerable clout to the minority groups.  Any action now to consolidate Islamic votes against other religious minorities may in the long run rupture the fragile balance in a multi racial, multi religious country like Malaysia.

 

30.10.2000