I was waiting for the Cabinet to issue a policy statement after its meeting yesterday to clarify and correct the pronouncement by the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Tuesday that Malaysia is not a secular state but an Islamic state driven by the fundamentals of Islam.
But there had been total silence from the Cabinet after its weekly Wednesday meeting yesterday.
The Cabinet failure to reaffirm that Malaysia is a secular and not an Islamic State is a great letdown bringing to the very fore the question whether the upcoming 50th Merdeka anniversary celebrations is to commemorate 50 years of a secular Malaysian nation or the beginning of a Malaysian Islamic State!
Some MCA leaders have made noises in the media that Najib’s declaration that Malaysia is an Islamic state and not a secular state flies in the face of “numerous documents, including the Reid Report, the Cobbold Commision and a 1988 Supreme Court decision” but why was there not a single one of the four MCA Ministers, as well as the Gerakan, MIC, SUPP, PBS and other non-Muslim Barisan Nasional (BN) Ministers who dared to raise this important subject to ask for a public Cabinet reaffirmation that Malaysia had always been conceived to be a secular and not an Islamic State?
Is this to be another MCA “sandiwara” — using low-level officials to question Najib’s statement that Malaysia is an Islamic and not a secular state while top MCA leaders assured the UMNO leadership of their support in Cabinet and the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council?
This was what happened when former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mdohamad made the unilateral, arbitrary and unconstitutional declaration that Malaysia was an Islamic State at the Gerakan national delegates conference on Sept. 29, 2001 — the “929 declaration”.
This was what I said the very next day, 30th September 2001 in my media statement:
The headline screaming from the front page of Mingguan Malaysia today is “Malaysia negara Islam — PM”, reporting on the speech by the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad yesterday when opening the Gerakan 30th Delegates’ Conference in Kuala Lumpur, declaring categorically that Malaysia is an Islamic State under UMNO rule.
“It is a double shock to Malaysians, firstly, that such a declaration was made at the Gerakan Delegates’ Conference, and secondly, the instantaneous and fulsome support given to Mahathir’s declaration by the Gerakan President, Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik and the MCA President, Datuk Seri Dr. Ling Liong Sik, who were also present at the function.
More shocks were on the way, for a week later on 5th October 2001, at a hastily convened emergency meeting of the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council, all the Barisan Nasional leaders gave categorical and unreserved endorsement to Mahathir’s declaration that Malaysia was an Islamic State.
In my first immediate response to the “929 Declaration”, I had warned that “it undermines the secular basis of Malaysia and would have far-reaching consequences for the Malaysian nation-building process in the 21st century”.
In the past six years since Mahathir’s “929 Declaration”, Malaysia has taken many steps backwards inimical to the Merdeka social compact agreed by the forefathers of the major communities to defend, promote and preserve the secular, multi-religious and progressive character of nation-building.
In my 30 years in Parliament from 1969 to 1999, no MP whether from the ruling coalition or the opposition had spoken about an Islamic State, but when I returned to Parliament in 2004 after an absence of five years, there had been such a sea-change in Parliament to the extent that an UMNO MP could openly make the taunt without any objection from any BN parliamentarian that those who did not like Malaysia becoming an Islamic State could leave the country!
Just as Mahathir’s “929 Declaration” had set in motion the regression of Malaysia from a secular state towards UMNO’s concept of an Islamic State, Najib’s July 17 statement (“717 Declaration”) if unchallenged and uncorrected will see another phase in the further undermining of the fundamental cornerstone of Malaysian nation building where Islam is the official religion with Malaysia remaining a secular and not an Islamic state.
Unless the Cabinet takes the first opportunity to reaffirm the Merdeka social contract that Malaysia, with Islam as the official religion, is a secular and not an Islamic state, many Malaysians will be asking what is the meaning of celebrating the 50th Merdeka anniversary of nationhood next month.
#1 by hermes on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 12:31 pm
Remember in the general elections of 1999 the UMNO government and, in particular the MCA, demonised the DAP but taking large advertisments in the media that the DAP was getting into an unholy pact with the devil by teaming up with the PAS for the elections. The basis of this demonisation was that PAS trying to make Malaysia an Islamic state.
Well, what do we have now? MCA is not only in bed with a party trying to make Malaysia an Islamic state. It is already and still in bed with a party who has declared that it has made Malaysia an Islamic state. [deleted] Which is worse? MCA in bed with a party who has made Malaysia an Islamic state or DAP who has rejected PAS’s attempt to make Malaysia an Islamic state? DAP has declared it will not have any pact with PAS for the next elections. MCA is still very happy to sleep with the Islamic party.
Who is the worse hypocrite on this matter? Who is protecting their own political positions and sacrificing principles for office? Does anyone believe that MCA, in the face of their being in bed with the party which has made Malaysia an Islamic state, is defending the position of the non-malays and non muslims? MCA, such two faced liars!!!
WAKE UP, MALAYSIANS. THIS IS A CLARION CALL TO VOTE AGAINST THE BARISAN BUNCH OF CROOKS AND HYPOCRITES.
#2 by Godfather on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 12:33 pm
Blame it on TDM for tinkering with the system, and sytematically marginalizing the non-Malays until their leadership was totally beholden to UMNO. A succession of non-Malay leaders were “hooked” via corrupt practices and TDM strung them along, ensuring their obedience.
The non-Malay leaders today are the same – their tongues have long been cut off, they are totally mute [deleted]. Don’t expect any reaffirmation from the cabinet – the only affirmation we are going to get is “Yes, we are an Islamic state, and the other BN parties have agreed with this.”
#3 by Libra2 on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 12:36 pm
Is this to be another MCA “sandiwara�
Kit,
I will be the least surprised if MCA leaders will convert to Islam en masse if that would save their positions and wealth.
Neither will I be surprised if most of them are holding or in the process of getting PR status in other countries.
We cannot expect much from people without principles.
#4 by pwcheng on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 12:45 pm
“but why was there not a single one of the four MCA Ministers, as well as the Gerakan, MIC, SUPP, PBS and other non-Muslim Barisan Nasional (BN) Ministers who dared to raise this important subject to ask for a public Cabinet reaffirmation that Malaysia had always been conceived to be a secular and not an Islamic State?”
Your question is most apt, but we all know why. They are all trained to remain silent and will never open their mouth for fear of being caned. The shit are already flying all over their faces and yet they remain silent. How much hope to w have on them to protect the non-Bumis?? They are put there by UMNO as a showpieces and dummies.
#5 by MY VIEW on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 12:45 pm
Malaysia can be in any state, Secular state or Islamic state but can never be a United States.
#6 by pwcheng on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 12:51 pm
The wind of change is blowing and blowing hard. What goes around comes around and this time it is MCA’s turn to explain to the people why they are sleeping with a party that is hell bent on making Malaysia an Islamic state. The ball is at your feet Mr OKT.
#7 by Libra2 on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 12:54 pm
How could the cabinet make such a statement when the culprit was chairing the meeting. The PM is on a perpetual holiday, so who cares.
Now every PM can fly?
#8 by sotong on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 1:09 pm
Based on the agreements of our forefathers, just tell the people the absolute truth.
Stop misleading and manipulating the ordinary people for power and money at the great expense of the country.
Politicians must be fully held accountable and responsible for their actions/inactions.
#9 by k1980 on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 1:46 pm
Why the hell did Ong KT leave it to his brother Ong KC (no ministerial position in BN) to defy the DPM’s claim? Scared of losing his MCA President post? And why nothing from Koh TK and Samy? To frightened to whimper in protest?
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/20070719081237/Article/index_html
#10 by kleptocrats on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 1:51 pm
Ini semua bikin wayang la, now both Malays/Chinese feels that UMNO/MCA is championing their respective rights, by voicing out. Embrace as we are going to see a general election very very soon.
#11 by Toyol on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 2:20 pm
The DPM must be charged with ISA. By stating that Malaysia is an Islamic State and not a Secular one, he has created not just national disunity but also proved to the world that Malaysia is not what it seems…that all their talk that we have racial harmony, tolerance and religious freedom is [deleted]. Now the world knows what [deleted] we have as a leader.
The announcement can be misconstrued by some quarters and racial disunity will lead to chaos and maybe civil strife. Is this the price he is willing to pay for his own political agenda? Gambling the nation’s fragile solidarity! He must be detained under ISA…no less.
#12 by taikohtai on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 2:37 pm
Well, well, well, another day and another wayang kulit by the gomen. The trickeries are not new as many of us are well aware. However, we should not be so reactive. By being proactive, we empower ourselves.
So Najib wants to call Malaysia an Islamic state. So what? I doubt he and his [deleted] can conduct themselves well enough to be good muslims!! We all know that.
What I am driving at is that we need to ‘protect’ ourselves by being intelligent enough to have enough options. Then when the going gets tough, we can exercise our options so that even Sun Tzu will be pleased.
If the rest of the people in Malaysia wants to be run by a bunch of such leaders, let them but we can always do more honourable things ourselves.
Najib and gand can get stuffed, again.
#13 by sotong on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 2:40 pm
Some people are willing to gamble the future of the country for their selfish, damaging and narrow politics of religion.
As usual, Islamic extremists and fundamentalists are eagerly waiting to take advantage of bad leadership and governance of the country to advance their narrow, destructive and damaging agendas.
#14 by cklife on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 3:09 pm
We can gamble, drink alcohol and having Non-Muslims dressing in Bikini.
Since when are we Islamic State?
And if we are, would all these be banned? Even if it’s Non-Muslims who did it?
Or would all the Non-Muslims be forced to join them as Muslims or face jail sentences?
NAJIP wasn’t thinking when he/she said what he/she said.
#15 by ethnicmalaysian on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 3:09 pm
Samy will say that the fact that Malaysia is an Islamic State is an Act of God and there’s nothing you can do about it.
#16 by ihavesomethingtosay on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 3:41 pm
MCA and MIC, what you to say? tell off your boss a little, fish for Chinese & Indian votes, one stone, two bird.
this happens just before election, what bad timing, this only proves that this is a lousy show, yes, just like Uzbeckistan 5, Malaysia 0, very lousy show.
and if OKT is so outspoken like what Sinchew has reported today, bring it up in the Parliament, ask Najib and Mahathir to publicly apologise.
Incidently, this kind of extreme statement by BN is not only seditious but racist too.
#17 by azk on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 4:18 pm
i wonder if Ong Kah Ting and Samy Vellu blogs. I would really like to hear their response from their own mouth.
#18 by azk on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 4:19 pm
All politicians of today SHOULD blog. How can they be so ignorant and unable to live up to the current world. Get Ong Kah Ting and Samy Vellu to blog!
#19 by democrate on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 4:35 pm
Umno again tickling the balls of OKT ,Samy and K Tsu K .
Anyway, Malaysia is not an Islamic state and i can take up any challenge against anyone who claimed that . Don’t play out by the Umno, as I say , Pas intention is to make Malaysia an Islamic state so, Election is approaching, Umno as usual need to fish the votes from the Malays ,thats all ! By saying that’ they had compromise with OKT,Samy and the rest of BN,
Jangan takut, kita saja mahu undi dari Melayu, kalau tidak Pas akan pakai issue ni . then, OKT will again pin up the Photo of Our YB Lim and Nik Aziz in the coming Election campaign to cheat the Chinese,
What a political tragedy Malaysia has !!!
#20 by glokaltower on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 5:15 pm
It is a strategic move by DPM. We will see more of this as the election is near. They still think Malaysia politics is simple as ABC. According to the legend of “RAHMAN”, Najib will be the last PM from UMNO. And now we see why.
#21 by Utopia on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 5:35 pm
Uncle Kit,
Is not that in your absence before 2004 that the attitude of the UMNO change. Its because the strongest leader of B Nasional (Mahathir) left his post and came the Puppet Minister name Badawi! So now all the [deleted] UMNOs [deleted]! Doing what ever they wish! They think that they are the king of the country!
————————————————————–
Anyway, I came across this analogic story which tells the moral of absolute power corrupts absolutely in very layman’s term. There’s few ‘bugs’ in the story, but I still think it’s very good to explain it to your children, friends and family! HERE IT GOES:
Long time ago, God put two flocks of sheep on grassland: one group at north and one group at south. God also gave them two types of native predator: Lion and wolf.
God told the sheep: “If you choose wolf, I shall give you one, and it’s allowed to bite you at its will. If you choose lion, I shall give you two, and you are allowed to choose anyone from the two of them to stay on the grassland, and you can replace it at any time.â€Â
So, the question is: If you are one of the sheep, what will you choose? A wolf or two lions?
It’s easy to make your choice, right? Remember your choice, and continue with our story.
The sheep at the south thought that lions are more fiercely than wolf, so they picked a wolf.
The sheep at the north thought that although lions are more fiercely than wolf, but they have the option to choose, so they took two lions.
The wolf started eating the sheep once it entered the herd at the south. The wolf was smaller and it had smaller appetite. One sheep is enough to appease its hunger for days. So the sheep only were hunted once a few days.
The sheep at the north chose a lion and leave another one with God. The lion started eating sheep once it entered the herd at the north. The lion was more fiercely than the wolf and it had much larger appetite. It needed to eat a sheep each day to keep its stomach full. So the sheep is hunted everyday, and they were very afraid.
They asked God to replace the lion. But the lion that stayed with the God has not been eaten anything and it was very hungry. It pounced on the sheep and bite like crazy. The sheep had to run for their life everyday until they didn’t have time to eat.
The sheep at the south were grateful that they made the right choice, and they laughed at the sheep at the north for being stupid and chose the wrong predator.
The sheep at the north repented for their choice. They complained to God, and asked God to change their native predator to a wolf. But God said: “No. Once the native predator was chosen, it cannot be changed anymore. You must live with it forever. Your only option is to choose between the two lions.†The sheep at the north have to keep rotating the two lions.
But both lions were the same. Both of them showed no mercy. No matter how they rotate the lions, their situation was always much more miserable than the sheep at the south. At last, they stop rotating. They kept a lion full all the time while letting another one suffered in hunger. They only replaced the lions when the suffering lion was dying.
After a long time of hunger, the suffering lion realized that: Even they are much stronger than the sheep, but its fate is controlled by the sheep. The sheep can send him back to God anytime, and let him suffer and die in hunger.
So it treated the sheep very nice, it only ate the dead and the old sheep and it wouldn’t eat the healthy sheep. The sheep felt very surprise and happy. Some of the younger sheep even suggested letting the suffering lion to stay forever. But one of the elder reminded them: “The lion treats us good because it is afraid that we’ll send it back to the God. If we let another lion die, we’ll left with no choice and the suffering lion will return to its nature and starts hunting us again.†The sheep agreed with the elder. To prevent another lion starve to death, they replaced it after a few weeks.
And the lion also realized that its fate is controlled by the sheep. In order to stay longer on the grassland, the lion tried its best to please the sheep. Another lion felt so sad that it had to suffer hunger again.
After experiencing such a hard time, the sheep at the north finally can enjoy themselves.
At the mean time, the situation of the sheep at the south became worse and worse because the wolf had no competitor and the sheep couldn’t replace it. It started to act wildly. It had to kill ten sheep everyday. It didn’t eat sheep anymore. It only drank their blood. The sheep were not allowed to make a sound because they would be killed by the wolf if they do so.
In the end, the sheep at the south could only bemoan: “We should choose the lions in the first place……â€Â
End of story.
So, what do you get from this story?
We can only surrender if we don’t have the right to choose and decide (like the sheep at the south). But the democracy system gives us an opportunity to exercise our power to choose and decide our destiny (like the sheep at the north).
But in our country, many people don’t realize that they have the power to do so. They keep feeding the same lion with their flesh and blood while letting another one starve to death. As a result, the lion grows stronger and its appetite becomes larger. It starts to think itself as King doesn’t care for the sheep as long as it’s happy. And it hopes that this situation will last forever.
So, I hope that after reading this story, you’ll realize that you have the power to choose. You have to show the lions who’s the boss!!!
—————————————————————-
#22 by ReformMalaysia on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 6:02 pm
[cklife Says:July 19th, 2007 at 15: 09.10
We can gamble, drink alcohol and having Non-Muslims dressing in Bikini.]
….And use the tax collected from gambling business to build mosques.
…and not treating fellow human being equally-with Malays as tuan/of higher CASTE, to receive preferential treatment-….
This is so-called Islamic state
#23 by Kit on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 6:19 pm
Latest news from Malaysiakini:
#24 by yellowkingdom on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 6:41 pm
I believe Najib was just expressing his personal opinion and it is not a Cabinet stand. Pak Lah will tell us on his return from his stealth sojourn, “I dunno!”. Leaders should be more responsible with their statements and not manifest “diarrhoea of the mouth.”
[deleted]
#25 by Jong on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 6:56 pm
“Internal Security Ministry’s Publications Control and Al-Quran Texts Unit senior officer Che Din Yusof told malaysiakini that they are afraid that allowing such discussions would cause ‘tension’. ”
In the first place who is that idiot who created the ‘tension’, huh? He is desperate, aping former dictator Mahathir Mohamad for political mileage.
That was most irresponsible and downright mischievous!
So now the BN goverment realises that Najib’s remark is highly sensitive, highly inflammable and already causing ‘tension’? He should apologise to all Malaysians [deleted]!
#26 by sheriff singh on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 7:33 pm
Najib is merely stating the obvious, the reality.
“Secularâ€Â, “Islamicâ€Â. “religious†etc etc are merely playing with words, symantics. Argue all you want but the reality is all there for all to see.
We have been walking down the road towards becoming a totally Islamic country. It is only about the speed, sometimes it is faster, sometimes slower.
Just merely 30 years ago, the Malays were dressing much, much more differently. So were their lifestyle, thinking and speech.
But after Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the Shah and radical and conservative Islam took strong roots, we have changed and followed them.
Call it whatever you will but the reality is that the Islamic way of life is becoming more invasive, intrusive and prevalent in our daily lives. Even the secular courts now shy away from any case that has been given some “Islamic†flavour, and they quickly bow to the Syariah. Government policies and administration is now more religiously dictated. The education process has taken a new direction. So has dressing and behaviour in general. What is there more to say?
But the sad thing is that these trends seems to be irreversible. Once given or put in place, it is difficult to change the trend or to take away. Just like NEP.
Who now dares go against the mullahs even if they are wrong?
So it is likely that full Islamisation will be in place in the next 50 years.
And there will not be any discussion on it. It will slowly and surely be done.
#27 by sheriff singh on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 7:55 pm
Was those words Najib’s or was he merely reading out the PM’s speech and expressing the PM’s thoughts?
The PM in case you do not know, is in Kangaroo land on his belated honeymoon hop. Also trying out his new jet, now that “he can fly” and be a jet-setter.
Some rumours also said it is also for a health check. Others say it is to plan for the next general election targeted (some say) for the weekend of August 18-19.
Now we are told “no discussion”. “Its sensitive”. Why then did Najib say it then? Big boo-boo?
Is Bolehland an “Islamic state”? Sure it is. Otherwise it cannot be a member of the OIC or be the leader of the OIC. It can be like Turkey, you know, majority Muslims (Islamic) but secular at the same time.
Our Ministers go to the Middle East and other Muslim countries and tell everyone there that we are an “Islamic” country. Come visit us. Do business with us. So what’s new?
#28 by Jonny on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 8:02 pm
In this country, there are two sets of laws. For the well connected & rich and for the poor. We are turning more Islamic then PAS itself. Still the two different sets of laws still withstood time since early days of NEP conception.
#29 by ihavesomethingtosay on Thursday, 19 July 2007 - 10:32 pm
“i wonder if Ong Kah Ting and Samy Vellu blogs. I would really like to hear their response from their own mouth.” – azk Says:
you joking? samy would just cut and paste, oso hope not he has blogs as we will have to endure not only his poems, but his SANDIWARA oso.
yuck!
#30 by trashed on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 5:35 am
I agree with Toyol that Najib should be charged under the ISA. more so if they were words uttered in his personal capacity.
I believe his words have caused tensions amongst all Malaysians. It is also a factually wrong statement.
#31 by undergrad2 on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 6:43 am
I’m tired of this Islamic state bull shit!
The truth is Malaysia is neither completely secular nor completely not secular – put it that way! There you go! No mention of any religion.
It is a ‘rojak’ state if you will.
#32 by Jeffrey on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 7:01 am
Najib made the remarks “Islam is the official religion and we are an Islamic state†when opening an international conference on “The Role of Islamic States in a Globalized World” from the 17th to 18th July 2007 organised by Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM).
From IKIM’s view point “unlike that of a wholly Secular State, the spiritual foundation of an Islamic State is the Primordial Covenant (al-Qur’an, 7: 172), whose fulfillment Muslim society must endeavour collectively by acknowledging God as their Lordâ€Â.
From point of view of Constitution as well reality of a predominant Muslim population and government’s partiality to promote Islam in this country, Malaysia of course is not WHOLLY a secular state – but neither are we strictly an Islamic theocracy in the sense like (say) Iran or Taliban Afghanistan (though those in the religious establishment are surely trying their level best to get us all the way there).
From the point of view of conference participants whom Najib was addressing how could Malaysia be hosting an international conference on “The Role of Islamic States in a Globalized World” when Malaysia were not an Islamic State in sense IKIM meant it?
As typical of this country such a statement will be politicized. The Mullahs would push their agenda and say , “see the DPM said itâ€Â; non muslims opposition and civil society will point as what Anwar did – to Najib’s “abysmal ignorance†of the social contract.
In this milieu, Malaysia is neither a secular nor an Islamic state in the strictest sense of either description but if truth is known it is more like a “confused†state so much so the Internal Security Ministry had to rule that “while the two top leaders of the country can make such statements, any reactions from political parties and the public will not be allowed to be published†– what a joke, a ministry headed 2nd in line by Datuk Foo Ah Kiow, a member of Central committee of political party MCA whose Secretary General Ong Ka Chuan immediately breached that ruling by issuing a statement stating that “documents prepared by the British authorities before granting independence to Malaysia in 1957 clearly stipulated that “the members of the Alliance delegation…had no intention of creating a Muslim theocracy and that Malaya would be a secular stateâ€Â.
#33 by Godfather on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 8:28 am
We can safely conclude that in any debate between UMNO and the MCA, the MCA lapdogs will walk away with their tails between their legs.
Watch the space. There will be no further squeaks from the MCA.
#34 by Bigjoe on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 9:16 am
You know what is most worrying to me about this? That Najib is copying the PM’s son-in-law political trickery. The old guy copy the young brash one. It shows the bankruptcy of ideas, leadership, philosophy. UMNO current culture – young brash, overconfident combined with desperate, losing it anachronistic old men can’t really hack it ultimately..
#35 by Kit on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 9:36 am
Bernama’s report of Najib’s statement on July 17, 2007 is as follows:
#36 by ENDANGERED HORNBILL on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 9:43 am
BERNAMA: “Raja Dr Nazrin Shah Pays Tribute To ‘Renaissance Man’ Piyadasa”
On the home front, Raja Nazrin said Piyadasa was a “rare bridge for our sad Malay-non-Malay, Muslim-non-Muslim divide”.
“He cared deeply for the marginalised. He was not a man for all seasons but a critic for all reasons. He challenged and stimulated one and all. A renaissance man. A polymath. A role model whose death diminishes all of us,” he said.
Raja Nazrin said Malaysians should embrace the subject of unity in diversity and strive towards achieving it in a definitive manner.
He noted Piyadasa once said that barriers to unity could only be crossed if people had profound affection for diversity in this country.
“I believe it’s our responsibility as Malaysians to use our minds and actions to create a reality of openness, and to avoid parochialism at all costs,” he said.”
YTM Raja Nazrin should be the next Deputy PM and Minister of Defence. Najib should just step aside for a greater Man. Actually, Raja Nazrin has more sense in him than all the CAbinet members combined including poor Pak LAh.
#37 by Jeffrey on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 10:00 am
Now Najib clarified (to domestic audience) that Malaysia is not a secular state but an “Islamic nation with its own interpretation†which in nuance is different from “Islamic State†he said to international audience during opening an international conference on “The Role of Islamic States in a Globalized Worldâ€Â, it being obviously incongruous for the Malaysia to host a conference on the “Role of Islamic States in Globalised World without being an Islamic state in the loose sense of word applied.
What is Islamic nation with its own interpretation? Whose interpretation?
It is UMNO’s interpretation. As expressed by Najib it is : “We have never been secular because being secular by Western definition means separation of the Islamic principles in the way we govern a country….We have never been affiliated to that position. We have always been driven by our adherence to the fundamentals of Islam. So, your premise is wrongâ€Â.
Non malays may look at the Constitution the other way – secular ala western style but they don’t have to power to enforce their interpretation.
Interpretation as always is a function of power and whether the person who interprets it as power to enforce that interpretation and make it stick. Nobody can say by way things are moving that Najib’s interpretation for and on behalf of majority Malay Muslim constituency and populace is not correct.
In early years of Alliance, the MCA already lost that power of interpretation being imbued with the notion of compromise on Chinese rights in exchange for concessions on citizenship which slowly evolved to compromise in exchange for secondary positions within the administration for access to crumbs of patronage/largesse from UMNO big brother….Even now MCA will not rock the boat on which they sit, albeit uncomfortably, to get the left over of the leaner fish and squid netted into the boat……
The key feature is “compromise†the origins of which is probably derived from a certain pragmatism (and indifference to politics as opposed to economic concerns) of the Diaspora of ethnic Chinese scattered all over the world….
#38 by sotong on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 10:02 am
The country has always been secular until the previous administration, for his selfish and narrow political survival to fight PAS, declared it an Islamic state.
For decades, the Non Malays had played their part to contribute significantly to a modern, progressive, fair, multi racial and religious and peaceful country. They now owed the country nothing!
The ball is now with the Malays leaders to play their responsible and proper role in the best interest of the country.
#39 by witoutprejudice on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 10:20 am
ENDANGERED HORNBILL,
i agreed with you that “…TM Raja Nazrin should be the next Deputy PM and Minister of Defence. Najib should just step aside for a greater Man. Actually, Raja Nazrin has more sense in him than all the CAbinet members combined including poor Pak LAh….”
our gomen is half-past-six, 3rd world mentality and full of nonsense? i will not surprised if suddenly bodowi sent a resignation letter from kangaroo land [deleted] ??
#40 by comodo on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 11:10 am
Agree completely with sheriff singh comments
“Call it whatever you will but the reality is that the Islamic way of life is becoming more invasive, intrusive and prevalent in our daily lives. Even the secular courts now shy away from any case that has been given some “Islamic†flavour, and they quickly bow to the Syariah. Government policies and administration is now more religiously dictated. The education process has taken a new direction. So has dressing and behaviour in general. What is there more to say?
But the sad thing is that these trends seems to be irreversible. Once given or put in place, it is difficult to change the trend or to take away. Just like NEP.
Who now dares go against the mullahs even if they are wrong?
So it is likely that full Islamisation will be in place in the next 50 years.”
What can be done??
#41 by pwcheng on Friday, 20 July 2007 - 1:15 pm
We are definitely becoming an autocratic state. The top leaders can only say anything they like and not anybody else even up to an extent that it will create chaos in the country. In this country the 2 top leaders are Malays and going by the recent political scenario, there is not much hope for the other races. We have now a sleeping leader who perpetually is on honeymoon follow by a distinguished ultra [deleted].
Only the leaders can talk about this and not anybody else and media banned from publishing anything on it. By doing that they had already admitted that it is a sensitive issue and under the law anyone who committed this has committed a crime under the Sedition Act which is created by UMNO itself. And right now the person who has committed this crime is the same person who not too long ago said that “nobody is above the law”.
The Question is why is the police keeping so silent on this. Obviously they are biased judging from the many incidents recently, one of which is the Nathaniel Tan incident. UMNO and the police had jointly created two set of laws in this country.
What has Kofi Annan got to say about this? Lets jointly tell the world the truth and nothing but the truth instead of letting these [deleted] lie without the wink of any eye. Let the world judge that Malaysia has a gathering of pariah leaders who has no shame to tear he country apart all for the sake of power and money. Tierry Rommel has proven himself right all the way he should not have aplogized [deleted]. I am sure the majority of the Malays ,especially the moderate Malays are not game for tearing the country apart because of religious issues .
The only way out is for the people power to agitate so as to kick all these half past six and sleeping politicians out and let the Monarch be the supreme of the country or state. Obviously we have more respect for them than those blood thirsty politicians. Like in Thailand when you have the monarch support, we will be able to throw them out.
#42 by zioburosky13 on Saturday, 21 July 2007 - 9:26 am
Tunku will rolled in his grave if he heard such news. Malaysia is like US.
The malay is the white people.
The Chinese/india is the black people.
The Indon is like the mexican.
The ‘orang asli’ is like the american indian.
See the odds?
#43 by OverseaMalaysian on Saturday, 21 July 2007 - 12:18 pm
Is Malaysia a secular or Islamic state? I don’t know, I was not involved. I was sleeping.
#44 by Anak_Permyjaya on Saturday, 21 July 2007 - 5:00 pm
If they want it to be islamic state or country, do we have says? We’re really the outsiders in their eyes, who comes from India or China long time before to snatch their wealthness (when they failed to compete).
Now the only group of ppl who have the right to voice out is the orang asli, since they’re here before or together with the Malays……..
#45 by mangodurian on Monday, 23 July 2007 - 12:30 am
Jeffrey’s analysis and stark description of the situation as it is today hits it right on the dot. For a long while, PAS has been the clear bogeyman, but lurking within our own house lies an even greater evil. Those of us even born post-57 have seen it happening, but had always been a bit complacent about the creeping slowly-but-surely tactic of certain quarters to impose what they feel is, and should be completely theirs – this land we call home.
Although legally declared as secular, laws can always be changed. Unlike the developed and structured nature of change towards independence that we were blessed with by the British culture (our independence forefathers were all British-trained to be gentlemen), such will not be the case for this ‘Islamic State’ concept.
Those who were born after 1957 are taking over – and they are not your old British gentlemen.
For the last 50 years, we’ve seen it – mosques ever 1 km, denying non-Malay/muslim establishments, no license for entertainment and non-halal joints, Datuk for menial Malaysia-boleh achievements, Revathi, Lina Joy …
With the Lina Joy landmark case, I think those in the legal circles can see that it has become safe enough for those non-inclusive fundamentalists to become bolder and bolder.
It is happening – little twists of the truth here and there, and if you repeat and suppress the opposing view enough – it will one day become the truth. With enough statements like that, it will easy one day to twist the label from ‘secular nation with Islam as official religion’ to ‘Islamic majority nation’ to ‘Islamic state with Malaysian characteristics’ to finally full ‘Islamic theocracy’.
PAS don’t need to fight anymore. They will merge with UMNO. By then MCA, MIC, Gerakan’s population will be so small (note the falling birthrates of non-Malays) that their membership in BN don’t matter anymore. They can all defect and become DAP-MCA-MIC …. and it wouldn’t matter.
The final Victory will be achieved.
MCA and MIC … this is your moment of truth.
#46 by rajanjohn on Wednesday, 25 July 2007 - 12:39 pm
Islamic state..well try implementing thats and see “WHO’s gonna lose out or convert the most!Visit clubs with Casino/Slot-Machines you’ll see who’s the majorities!Judi adalah haram! Go to high/mid class Night-Clubs/Karaoke and check out the patrons..who actually enjoys the GRO’s to the fullest.. then wait to see which “lembu” pays the bill?? Don’t la Gali lubang sendiri..let’s be a secular Nation/country and we enjoy together!Don’t la be Hippocrates..malu la ABG Oi..
#47 by ktteokt on Thursday, 20 September 2007 - 10:38 am
Only UMNO Islam is fit for Malaysia, not PAS Islam? So are there two sets of Islamic doctrines or two QURANS?