Institutions like JAKIM were supposed to be instruments of reform, guiding Malaysia toward a progressive interpretation of Islam that focused on intellectual development, social justice, and education, says entrepreneur Mudasir Khan @ Tuan Muda. - Azim Rahman/Scoop file pic, October 13, 2024
The quiet takeover: how the conservatives took control of Jakim – Tuan Muda
All is not lost in the efforts to reclaim Islam as the progressive teaching it is
Updated 5 days ago
14 October, 2024
8:00 AM MYT
WHEN Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was expelled from Umno in 1998, it wasn’t just a political betrayal — it marked a pivotal moment in Malaysia’s Malay leadership.
Anwar, with his reformist vision of a moderate, intellectually rigorous Islam, had posed a challenge to the entrenched conservative forces within the government.
His expulsion paved the way for these forces, under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration, to install their own, less competent ulamas in positions of power.
What followed was a transformation of Islamic institutions like Jakim from vessels of progress and reform into tools for political control and conservative enforcement.
The loss of a reformist vision
Institutions like Jakim were supposed to be instruments of reform, guiding Malaysia toward a progressive interpretation of Islam that focused on intellectual development, social justice, and education.
However, when Anwar was removed from his position of influence, so too was the opportunity to see his vision realised. His ousting removed a key voice that could have steered Islamic leadership toward reform, leaving a void that was quickly filled by conservative forces more interested in preserving the status quo than embracing change.
The rise of conservative ulamas
With Anwar out of the picture, Mahathir’s administration had little difficulty appointing ulamas who were politically loyal but lacked the intellectual depth to lead.
These leaders were selected more for their willingness to follow orders than for their religious knowledge or leadership skills. Installed into key positions within Islamic institutions, including Jakim, these ulamas began to reshape the narrative surrounding Islam in Malaysia.
Rather than focusing on intellectual growth or community development, these new leaders prioritised moral policing and religious enforcement. Under their guidance, Jakim moved away from being a driver of reform and instead became a regulator of conservative values.
Political cronyism and the incompetencies
The rise of these new Islamic leaders was not accidental; it was a direct result of political cronyism. Mahathir and his allies understood the importance of controlling Islamic institutions to maintain power, and they were quick to place individuals who were loyal to their political agenda in leadership positions.
These appointments ensured that Islamic leadership remained compliant, focusing on reinforcing the traditionalist narrative and keeping conservative Malay voters satisfied.
Islamic leadership under these ulamas became more about enforcing social conformity than addressing the real needs of the Muslim community. Issues like halal certification, public behavior, and adherence to conservative social norms were given more attention than advancing Islamic thought or reforming the economy to benefit the marginalised.
This allowed Mahathir’s administration to use Islamic institutions as tools for political control, ensuring that they served the interests of the ruling elite rather than the community at large.
Intellectual stagnation and public disillusionment
With conservative at the helm, Islamic institutions like Jakim lost their potential to be drivers of progress. Intellectual stagnation set in, as these leaders lacked the capacity or willingness to engage with modern challenges.
Rather than encouraging critical thought or reform, they focused on maintaining a rigid interpretation of Islam that avoided meaningful engagement with contemporary issues like globalisation, technology, or economic reform.
As a result, Malaysians, particularly in urban areas, began to feel disconnected from their Islamic leadership. Public disillusionment grew, especially among younger generations who saw the gap between the traditionalist Islamic leadership and the needs of modern society.
The focus on trivial moral policing, rather than addressing real social and economic issues, further alienated these groups, creating a divide between rural, conservative communities and more progressive, urban Malays.
Opportunities for reform
Anwar’s removal from Umno and the subsequent takeover of Islamic leadership by conservative forces marked a missed opportunity for reform in Malaysia’s Islamic institutions.
Had Anwar’s vision of a moderate, progressive Islam been realised, institutions like Jakim could have become vehicles for intellectual growth, social justice, and economic empowerment.
Instead, these institutions became tools of political manipulation, focused more on maintaining the status quo than fostering progress.
Anwar’s reforms begin to take shape
Today, as Anwar has returned to the political scene as prime minister, there is renewed hope that Malaysia’s Islamic institutions can be reformed.
However, the task is monumental. Decades of conservative control have entrenched certain norms within Jakim and other Islamic bodies, making reform difficult.
Nevertheless, Since his return to office, Anwar has wasted no time in addressing the issues within Malaysia’s Islamic institutions.
He has already hit the ground running by reappointing key religious leadership positions both at the state and federal levels, starting with his completed overhaul of the Federal Territories leadership this year.
This marks a significant first step in reclaiming these institutions from the grips of political cronyism and conservative inertia.
Furthermore, the proposed Mufti Bill, which is set to pass soon, will provide a clearer legal and administrative framework for the appointment and duties of muftis, paving the way for a more structured and transparent path forward.
These moves signal Anwar’s commitment to overhauling Islamic institutions like Jakim, realigning them with his Malaysias vision of moderation, intellectual growth, and social justice for all.
The quiet takeover of Malaysia’s Islamic leadership by incompetent ulamas may have stalled the country’s progress for a time, but the possibility of reform is not lost.
With the right leadership and a renewed focus on education, intellectual growth, and community development, institutions like Jakim can still become the vessels for progress that they were always meant to be. – October 14, 2024
The loss of a reformist vision
Institutions like Jakim were supposed to be instruments of reform, guiding Malaysia toward a progressive interpretation of Islam that focused on intellectual development, social justice, and education.
However, when Anwar was removed from his position of influence, so too was the opportunity to see his vision realised. His ousting removed a key voice that could have steered Islamic leadership toward reform, leaving a void that was quickly filled by conservative forces more interested in preserving the status quo than embracing change.
The rise of conservative ulamas
With Anwar out of the picture, Mahathir’s administration had little difficulty appointing ulamas who were politically loyal but lacked the intellectual depth to lead.
These leaders were selected more for their willingness to follow orders than for their religious knowledge or leadership skills. Installed into key positions within Islamic institutions, including Jakim, these ulamas began to reshape the narrative surrounding Islam in Malaysia.
Rather than focusing on intellectual growth or community development, these new leaders prioritised moral policing and religious enforcement. Under their guidance, Jakim moved away from being a driver of reform and instead became a regulator of conservative values.
Political cronyism and the incompetencies
The rise of these new Islamic leaders was not accidental; it was a direct result of political cronyism. Mahathir and his allies understood the importance of controlling Islamic institutions to maintain power, and they were quick to place individuals who were loyal to their political agenda in leadership positions.
These appointments ensured that Islamic leadership remained compliant, focusing on reinforcing the traditionalist narrative and keeping conservative Malay voters satisfied.
Islamic leadership under these ulamas became more about enforcing social conformity than addressing the real needs of the Muslim community. Issues like halal certification, public behavior, and adherence to conservative social norms were given more attention than advancing Islamic thought or reforming the economy to benefit the marginalised.
This allowed Mahathir’s administration to use Islamic institutions as tools for political control, ensuring that they served the interests of the ruling elite rather than the community at large.
Intellectual stagnation and public disillusionment
With conservative at the helm, Islamic institutions like Jakim lost their potential to be drivers of progress. Intellectual stagnation set in, as these leaders lacked the capacity or willingness to engage with modern challenges.
Rather than encouraging critical thought or reform, they focused on maintaining a rigid interpretation of Islam that avoided meaningful engagement with contemporary issues like globalisation, technology, or economic reform.
As a result, Malaysians, particularly in urban areas, began to feel disconnected from their Islamic leadership. Public disillusionment grew, especially among younger generations who saw the gap between the traditionalist Islamic leadership and the needs of modern society.
The focus on trivial moral policing, rather than addressing real social and economic issues, further alienated these groups, creating a divide between rural, conservative communities and more progressive, urban Malays.
Opportunities for reform
Anwar’s removal from Umno and the subsequent takeover of Islamic leadership by conservative forces marked a missed opportunity for reform in Malaysia’s Islamic institutions.
Had Anwar’s vision of a moderate, progressive Islam been realised, institutions like Jakim could have become vehicles for intellectual growth, social justice, and economic empowerment.
Instead, these institutions became tools of political manipulation, focused more on maintaining the status quo than fostering progress.
Anwar’s reforms begin to take shape
Today, as Anwar has returned to the political scene as prime minister, there is renewed hope that Malaysia’s Islamic institutions can be reformed.
However, the task is monumental. Decades of conservative control have entrenched certain norms within Jakim and other Islamic bodies, making reform difficult.
Nevertheless, Since his return to office, Anwar has wasted no time in addressing the issues within Malaysia’s Islamic institutions.
He has already hit the ground running by reappointing key religious leadership positions both at the state and federal levels, starting with his completed overhaul of the Federal Territories leadership this year.
This marks a significant first step in reclaiming these institutions from the grips of political cronyism and conservative inertia.
Furthermore, the proposed Mufti Bill, which is set to pass soon, will provide a clearer legal and administrative framework for the appointment and duties of muftis, paving the way for a more structured and transparent path forward.
These moves signal Anwar’s commitment to overhauling Islamic institutions like Jakim, realigning them with his Malaysias vision of moderation, intellectual growth, and social justice for all.
The quiet takeover of Malaysia’s Islamic leadership by incompetent ulamas may have stalled the country’s progress for a time, but the possibility of reform is not lost.
With the right leadership and a renewed focus on education, intellectual growth, and community development, institutions like Jakim can still become the vessels for progress that they were always meant to be. – October 14, 2024
Mudasir Khan @ Tuan Muda from Penang is an entrepreneur in the global logistics industry and sees Malaysia potential as a global player
Time to cut off the budgetary provision to this mfering zombieic setup!
ReplyDeleteA glaring 一错再错 ketuanan narrative that bleeds & divides the nation!