Malaysia has long been regarded as a moderate Muslim country. But is that going to change? There are people who believe that the missing Malaysian airline is hiding somewhere on inhabited island to be used later in a terror attack. That sounds like a conspiracy theory but there are definite signals of fundamentalism coming from Malaysia that should not be ignored.
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ISLAM in Malaysia is on “a steady slide towards fundamentalism and even violence”, according to a leading expert who is backed by a growing chorus of concern expressed in the country this week.
Farouk Peru, editor of the book Critical Thinkers for Islamic Reform, made the warning yesterday in welcoming an open letter from 25 leading Malaysians, which expressed “deep dismay” about the growing assertion of extremist Islamism in their country — with the support, or toleration, of the government.
The letter, from senior Malaysians including former public service heads, judges, ambassadors and generals, focused on the increasingly harsh application of Islamic laws, including turning “sins” into crimes against the state. It has triggered a huge debate about the country’s direction.
“At last, some prominent Malays have decided to speak up to save the race and this country from becoming an ISIS state,” lawyer and former legal affairs minister Zaid Ibrahim, referring to the Islamic State group fighting for a caliphate in Iraq and Syria.
He said Malays must be exposed to various interpretations of Islam that are consistent with a modern world. Mr Peru said sharia law, whose authority is steadily growing in Malaysia, was developed within an expansionist, imperialist framework — and “such laws are usually against the letter and spirit of the Koran”.
He said while freedom of religion is guaranteed in Malaysia’s constitution, “it is forcibly being taken away from Malay Muslims by sharia law”, which he branded an “anachronistic throwback”.
He said “extremist elements have penetrated even the prime minister’s department” — pointing to a speech made by Prime Minister Najib Razak during a dinner to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Malaysian independence, in which he listed virtues that were needed to enable his UMNO party to remain in power, as it has done since 1957.
“When someone dares to fight to their death, they can even defeat a much bigger team,” Mr Najib said. “As proof — whether we agree or not is another matter — the group ISIL (Islamic State) with the strength of just 1300 people, can defeat an Iraqi army of 30,000 soldiers, until four, five generals with three, four stars run for their lives, jump out the window at night. Why? Because they are afraid of those who are brave.”
Mr Najib a fortnight ago told his UMNO party congress that he would renege on his vow to repeal the country’s colonial-era Sedition Act, and would instead strengthen it with “a special clause to protect the sanctity of Islam”.
This year more than 30 people have already been charged under the act, which carries a three-year jail term, for criticising the government.
Mr Najib pledged before the last election that he would repeal the controversial act because it “represents a bygone era”.
Early last year, Mr Najib became the first non-Arab head of government to visit Gaza as a guest of Hamas, which he said he visited “to express my solidarity with the Palestinian people”.
He has attacked as “deviationist … human rightism, where the core beliefs are based on humanism and secularism as well as liberalism”.
“We will not tolerate any demands or right to apostasy by Muslims, or deny Muslims their right to be governed by sharia courts and neither will we allow Muslims to engage in LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) activities,” he said.
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ISLAM in Malaysia is on “a steady slide towards fundamentalism and even violence”, according to a leading expert who is backed by a growing chorus of concern expressed in the country this week.
Farouk Peru, editor of the book Critical Thinkers for Islamic Reform, made the warning yesterday in welcoming an open letter from 25 leading Malaysians, which expressed “deep dismay” about the growing assertion of extremist Islamism in their country — with the support, or toleration, of the government.
The letter, from senior Malaysians including former public service heads, judges, ambassadors and generals, focused on the increasingly harsh application of Islamic laws, including turning “sins” into crimes against the state. It has triggered a huge debate about the country’s direction.
“At last, some prominent Malays have decided to speak up to save the race and this country from becoming an ISIS state,” lawyer and former legal affairs minister Zaid Ibrahim, referring to the Islamic State group fighting for a caliphate in Iraq and Syria.
He said Malays must be exposed to various interpretations of Islam that are consistent with a modern world. Mr Peru said sharia law, whose authority is steadily growing in Malaysia, was developed within an expansionist, imperialist framework — and “such laws are usually against the letter and spirit of the Koran”.
He said while freedom of religion is guaranteed in Malaysia’s constitution, “it is forcibly being taken away from Malay Muslims by sharia law”, which he branded an “anachronistic throwback”.
He said “extremist elements have penetrated even the prime minister’s department” — pointing to a speech made by Prime Minister Najib Razak during a dinner to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Malaysian independence, in which he listed virtues that were needed to enable his UMNO party to remain in power, as it has done since 1957.
“When someone dares to fight to their death, they can even defeat a much bigger team,” Mr Najib said. “As proof — whether we agree or not is another matter — the group ISIL (Islamic State) with the strength of just 1300 people, can defeat an Iraqi army of 30,000 soldiers, until four, five generals with three, four stars run for their lives, jump out the window at night. Why? Because they are afraid of those who are brave.”
Mr Najib a fortnight ago told his UMNO party congress that he would renege on his vow to repeal the country’s colonial-era Sedition Act, and would instead strengthen it with “a special clause to protect the sanctity of Islam”.
This year more than 30 people have already been charged under the act, which carries a three-year jail term, for criticising the government.
Mr Najib pledged before the last election that he would repeal the controversial act because it “represents a bygone era”.
Early last year, Mr Najib became the first non-Arab head of government to visit Gaza as a guest of Hamas, which he said he visited “to express my solidarity with the Palestinian people”.
He has attacked as “deviationist … human rightism, where the core beliefs are based on humanism and secularism as well as liberalism”.
“We will not tolerate any demands or right to apostasy by Muslims, or deny Muslims their right to be governed by sharia courts and neither will we allow Muslims to engage in LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) activities,” he said.
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