 |
People in South East Asia are optimistic to see Malaysia succeed with Islam and democracy hand in hand. (Photo by Reuters) |
Its 50 years since Malaysia's independence. Merdeka! — the Malayan word for Independence — An achievement fought without bloodshed or civil strife. Yet, five decades on, is the Malaysian experiment with democracy a success?
Some believe that after 26 years of a Mahathir dominated government new Malaysia is hanging together like Chinese paper and fire crackers on new year's eve, at anytime it could go up in flames as had happened during the race riots of May 13, 1969.
That is why the new Badawi-led coalition has embarked on a new progressive program called Islam Hadhari. In these very precarious times where Islamic radicalism and conservatism has cast a long shadow across the Muslim world and the West has remained at an arms length, many are asking how Islam can work in a global community which is dominated by democratic principles of freedom and liberalism.
Islam Hadari
| Having two parallel systems in a society where it is not always black and white is fraught with danger. |
Most look towards Turkey to pave the way for a successful model of an Islamic secular democracy, but others in South East Asia are optimistic — or hopeful — to see Malaysia succeed with Islam and democracy hand in hand.
Traveling through Kuala Lumpur (KL) amidst the impressive skyline which includes the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world, one can meet with government officials who try to explain the benefits of Islam Hadhari.
In the words of Abdullah Badawi, it's a new approach adopted by the government as a complement to the agenda of developing a glorious and civilized Malaysian society.
Malaysia has become one of South East Asia's wealthiest states; traveling through the country one can see that Malaysia has a fluid relationship with its 9 million Chinese and 2 million Indians. Economically, the Chinese have made their mark. Malaysia is a relatively harmonious country. Apparently, Islam Hadari has a popular base of support among Malays, especially in KL.
Malaysia's official religion is Islam. Its legal system operates on two levels, a Shari'ah court and a civil court. In general this seems to work. Those who are Malay are automatically assumed to be Muslims, which is indicated on their identity cards. The Shari'ah court deals with Muslims and the civil courts deal with Buddhists, Christians, Sikhs, and Hindus.
It all works out nicely until someone like Lina Joy, a Malay, comes along and wants to become a Christian. Miss Joy met a Christian with whom she desired to marry, but to do so she is required to change her Muslim status; this was dealt with in the civil court and she was directed to obtain a certificate of apostasy from the Shari'ah court. It became a high profile case, which could have been resolved if Miss Joy went to the Shari'ah court, but she has till now refused to do so.
| While the Malayan Chinese Association does not fully appreciate the benefits of Islam Hadhari, it prefers that to the Islamic Shari'ah state law. |
Not Always Black and White
Having two parallel systems in a society where it is not always black and white is fraught with danger. Generally speaking in the past two years there have been 16 apostasy applications and only two refusals. Whilst Malaysia does not want to admit there are many people leaving Islam, it is playing down the Lina Joy case.
A Malaysian Shari'ah court judge says, "Changing your religion is not a simple matter, although we can issue a certificate of apostasy, we have to try to help that person in every way possible and then only and if only the applicant is beyond reconciliation with their faith we can issue a certificate and remove Islam from their identity [cards]."
The Chinese fears are apparent. They are afraid of Islam taking hold of affairs leading to a wasted democracy in a society that favors Malays, the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) believes. The MCA is an influential partner in a shaky coalition which has for many years withstood the challenges of time. But it seems that the Malays and Chinese need each other more than ever as the Islamic Party (PAS) gains ground after its shock loss of the state of Terenganu.
While MCA does not fully appreciate the benefits of Islam Hadhari, it prefers that to the Islamic Shari'ah state law advocated by PAS.
After a week of meetings and luncheons, I left the country with a sense that not everything was right in the state of Malaysia but yet there was this uncanny reciprocity between Chinese pragmatism and Malay single-mindedness that was the glue between the two parties that contributes to the success of this ongoing experiment.
|
