Wednesday, August 23, 2023
MALAYSIA'S ROAD TO TALIBANISATION, THANKS TO THE MALAY INTELLIGENTSIA'S 'CLOSE ONE EYE'
The following is an opinion piece written by my friend Dr Rosli Azad Khan that has appeared in Free Malaysia Today. You can read the original here.
My comments at the end.
The recent six state elections have highlighted several pressing concerns and revealed strong undercurrents within Malaysia’s political landscape.
As a quick recap, here is a summary of some of the more pertinent issues highlighted by various people in the media following the announcement of the results.
In The ‘holy’ name of PAS, FMT reader Ibrahim M Ahmad suggested that PAS’ victories in both the 15th general election (GE15) and the recent state elections have sounded alarm bells for moderate Malays and non-Malays alike.
I must agree that the party’s growing influence hints at a potentially polarised political future. PAS is clearly pushing the limits by openly claiming that their party is the only one sanctioned by the divine, and via various controversial religious pronouncements that have duped many an unsuspecting voter.
Two newly elected non-PAS members of the Kelantan state assembly, both Muslims, recently claimed that Kelantan’s new menteri besar, Nassuruddin Daud, openly pronounced them as being anti-Islam. (The MB has since denied doing so.)
In a similar vein, Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi, was reported by MySinchew, as elucidating the dangerous simplicity of extremism. He explained that once entrenched in the collective consciousness, religious extremism becomes difficult to uproot. Tajuddin abhors PAS and its leaning towards political Islam and the radicalisation of students from a young age all the way to the university level.
He wrote: “The Talibanising of Malaysia under PAS is real. Once it was thought as an impossible scenario, but now it is getting closer each day. The results of the recent state elections illustrate that more grease has been added to Malaysia’s slippery political slope.”
For his part, Liew Ching Tong recently shone the spotlight on a widespread “precarity” stemming from prolonged skewed economic strategies. This inequity, he says, has brewed discontent and disquiet among the masses.
He wrote: “Precarity is the result of decades of lopsided economic policies that failed to lift the wages of ordinary Malaysians while the entire economic structure is stuck in a vicious cycle of low wage, low productivity and low technology adoption. Precarity harms the long-term wellbeing of millions of Malaysians, both when they are working and when they retire in the years to come.”
To that I would add that such persons often find solace in religion. This leads politicians to peddle religious rhetoric and suggest that a religious party, through divine intervention, can resolve the country’s economic woes.
Obviously, the real issue is the economic disparity among the Malays. Mariam Mokhtar, through a series of incisive questions, recently delved into the noticeable wealth chasm among Malays, adding that introspection into its root causes is vital. Are affluence and diligence intertwined, or are there deeper systemic issues at play, she asked.
Central to her lists are the issues of corruption and how Malay politicians have gathered their wealth over the years at the expense of those at the grassroots. Some still continue to be part of the current government despite pending court cases.
And then there is the education dilemma facing the country. A discerning look into the school syllabus reveals an overwhelming emphasis on Islamic religious studies, often overshadowing subjects like English, mathematics, and the sciences.
This disproportionate focus has cultivated a generation that is insular, predominantly monolingual and narrow-minded. The unfortunate outcome is a rise in radicalisation and racial prejudice among the youth.
By the age of 18, these impressionable minds become natural supporters for parties like PAS. Such trends are not just disconcerting; they are harbingers of a turbulent future. If left unaddressed, Malaysia might well tread the path of Pakistan, with our “tahfiz” schools the equivalent of the “madrasahs” of jihadists.
Urgent intervention is vital; else the nation’s youth risk being entrapped in this quagmire.
Role of Rulers
Although the state elections have concluded, the reflections they have catalysed demand immediate action and will indubitably influence the nation’s discourse in the coming years.
Given the way PAS has manipulated Islam in its political endeavours, we must ask whether the party should be allowed to continue carrying “Islam” as part of its name.
The Prime Minister should consider discussing with the Council of Rulers the suitability of any political party using “Islam” as part of its name. (OSTB : My friend Rosli does have a sense of humour).
Any party that misrepresents and tarnishes “Islam” for political leverage needs to be held accountable. Deceitful tactics and abrasive language do not align with the true essence of the religion.
The matter is well within the domain of our rulers. The prime minister must advise and seek guidance from them immediately.
Perhaps, a cabinet reshuffle is also in order to genuinely embrace the “Madani” vision, with a focus on transparent governance and combatting the entrenched issue of political corruption among sitting politicians and civil servants.
It is critical to reiterate the significance of education. Our current educational system, with its strong religious leanings, is worrisome. A curriculum that heavily leans towards religious bias is not just limiting, but will misguide the next generation.
Rather than providing them with a comprehensive and balanced education, we risk churning out Malaysian students with a narrow mindset (read, PAS followers).
We owe it to our youth to offer them an education that broadens horizons, encourages critical thinking, and prepares them for a diverse world.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT (or of OutSyed The Box)
My comments :
In over 20 years as a businessman in Jalan Masjid India I used to have breakfasts and lunches at my regular spots in the area. Sometimes there would be other Indian Muslim folks also having their food there. The usual table chatter would be what is the rental for this business location, what is the cost to get workers, what about lorry transport, what is selling, what is not etc. Until today these are the general topics, practical and useful information for business people.
Recently my wife and I were having breakfast at the mamak's in Bangi (where we live now) and where the crowd is almost all Malay. The conversation at the next table could be easily heard. A group of Malay folks who looked like Civil Servants were talking about prayers (sembahyang) and their masjid. One lady was saying that one day the attendance at some masjid was very slim. Then the imam fellow made a du'a (a prayer) and the masjid suddenly filled up with people. Almost like it was miraculous. Maybe to them this was practical and useful information ?
Not only are the priorities different but the indoctrination is also very different.
Based on the information that is useful for them the business people run their businesses, make their sales, make profits and pay the taxes to the gomen which the gomen then uses to pay the Civil Servants salaries. The same Civil Servants who discuss about miraculous baca du'a prayers that can fill the congregation. The priorities are different and the indoctrination is also very different.
Ok I read my good friend Dr Rosli's opinion above and I can grasp what everyone is saying.
But why blame Pas? It was Dr Mahathir who began the 'islamisation process' in the early 1980s. It was called 'Penerapan Nilai-Nilai Islam'.
So tell me are you suggesting that the hudud law is NOT part of nilai-nilai Islam? So why complain when Pas talks about the hudud law? It was you folks who began hunting with the hounds. Now suddenly you are running with the hares instead.
And in the 1980s Dr Mahathir was ably assisted by the same Madani fellow in the 'islamisation' of everything in this country. When that fellow was Minister of Education in the mid 1980s all the sekolah kebangsaan began wearing the tudung for the girls. It was all part of 'nilai-nilai Islam'.
And the ultimate beneficiary of all that 'islamisation' and the 'penerapan nilai-nilai Islam' was Pas.
Let me back track - it was also during the time of Dr Mahathir and the Madani fellow in the 80s and 90s that the Mahkamah Syariah was given expanded clout. The Syariah Court was elevated in their salary scale to the same level as the Civil Courts. They also set up the Syariah "appeals" Court - populated by even higher pay-grade Syariah 'judges'. Dr Mahathir and UMNO (at that time) amended the Syariah enactments to give the Syariah courts more clout.
All this has benefited Pas. So why blame Pas?
And let me tell you if Pas comes to power they will immediately create a Syariah Federal Court as well. Who knows they may even phase out the present Federal Court entirely.
I have said this before - there is no such thing as 'I am just a little pregnant, I am moderately pregnant or I am extremely pregnant'. Either you are pregnant or you are not. There is no in between. And once you are pregnant it will come to its end and you will give birth to something at the end. What will you give birth to?
Likewise there is also no such thing as moderate versus not moderate or extremist religion. Especially when the politicians start messing with religion as a tool to get votes (under the fake and lying excuse of membela agama and all that crap). Religion is religion. Finally the religious pregnancy will come to its termination. The final outcome is always more and more religion and more and more extremism.
Just that you did not see it when it was happening right in front of you. (But dont worry there are solutions - for Malaysia this is the best solution. Do read on).
And right now, as you are reading this the Madani gomen has committed another act of suicide which will only benefit the Pas more and more. Just a few days ago the Minister (whose late father was a 'religious ultra' and a close confidante of Madani) has introduced a new 'religious' textbook in the school system. She says that soon all the schools will be required to read that religious book.
Who will benefit the most if millions of Malay kids read such religious books in school? Pas of course. Pas will benefit the most. You have saved Pas years of time and effort to indoctrinate their followers by teaching more of Pas religious indoctrination in our school system. YOU SEE PAS SHARES THE SAME ORTHODOXY. So you are just fattening the cow which will be slaughtered and eaten by Pas - for free. Courtesy of your goodselves.
But here is something else. Notice I am NOT MENTIONING the title of that religious book that the Minister introduced last week. Because if I mention the name of that book, ALL OF YOU MALAYS AND MUSLIMS will say 'What is wrong with that book? There is nothing wrong with that book.'
So please decide - you want to hunt with the hounds or you wish to run with the hares? Choose.
You cannot be lightly pregnant, you cannot be moderately pregnant and you cannot be extremely pregnant. Either you are pregnant or not. Then at the end of nine months you will give birth to something. And that something is your future.
The solution for Malaysia is very simple. We need open discussion on religion. Free and open discussion, and most importantly the free and unfettered asking of questions about religion.
WITHOUT FEAR OF PROSECUTION OR PERSECUTION.
In any society there will always be dissenting opinions, new ideas, fresh insights, critical minds who can add to the general discourse in the society. It could be by anyone. They must all be given the freedom to speak about the religion WITHOUT FEAR OF PROSECUTION OR PERSECUTION.
This will instantly nullify the monopoly on religious discourse that is now monopolised by the lebais and the Pas fellows. This alone will nip the extremists in the bud. Free and unfettered discussion on religion by anyone and everyone will curb the extremists for sure.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ ٱلْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ هَدَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِ
Surah 39:18 "Those who listen to all speech (al qawla) and follow the best thereof. These are the ones whom Allah has guided, and these are the ones endued with understanding.
We must listen to all views and then follow the best thereof. This is what the Quran says. But if you can only listen to one point of view, you have nailed yourself inside your personalised coffin. Or inside their personalised coffin. Rest in Peace. Or in pieces.
In this country over the past 40 years or so the Muslims have nailed themselves inside the coffin by enacting what are classified as 'Blasphemy Laws'. These are also what can be described as aqidah laws. In Malaysia only one type of religious orthodoxy is tolerated under the Syariah enactments that we have in this country, and also protected by the Sedition Act. PAS SHARES THE SAME ORTHODOXY.
Personally I have absolutely no problem with this orthodoxy. It is a majority sect in the religion. I am fine with it. No problem.
But what I totally disagree with is criminalising (fine RM5000, jail three years, and/or six strokes of the rotan) any beliefs, views, opinions, writings which are different from the orthodoxy.
The late Tan Sri Sanusi Junid personally described it to me as the "rubber estate" mentality. I recall Tan Sri Sanusi's thick Kedah accent : 'Syed, pemikiran depa ini macam ladang getah.' In the rubber estate there can only be one type of tree ie rubber trees. If suddenly another tree grew that bears gold nuggets, they will cut it down. Why? 'Sebab ini ladang getah. Pokok lain tak boleh, Pokok getah saja boleh'.
And Pas has benefited greatly from this criminalising free and open discussion of religion. In this country Muslims cannot discuss religion without a surat tauliah. You can be sent to jail.
But how come so far not one Pas ostard has been arrested for talking about religion without a surat tauliah. The Pas can go around the whole country saying whatever they want about religion. Now they openly say 'Undi Pas masuk syurga'. Ampun Tuanku but have any of the DYMM Sultans objected to this obviously crude and malicious manipulation of the religion by Pas? No. Why not?
So the Pas are taking full advantage of all the religious dogma which Dr Mahathir, Madani, Tan Sri Muhyiddin, Najib and the others have already introduced into the system over the past decades. They have hijacked the Enakmen Jenayah Syariah to their benefit, they have hijacked Penerapan Nilai2 Islam to their benefit, they have hijacked the many jabatan agamas to their benefit etc. The Pas have benefited maximum from the "islamisation" of the sekolah kebangsaan in the country. The armies of religious teachers who are now employed in the sekolah kebangsaan system are almost all of them for Pas.
So Malay people - please do not act surprised too much. Do you want to hunt with the hounds or run with the hares? Yang mana satu? Choose.
My solution is simple:
1. Abolish the Sedition Act
2. Abolish the criminalisation of aqidah (Blasphemy Laws) in the various Enakmen Jenayah Syariah (at the States and Federal Territory level). Views that are disagreeable to the orthodoxy shall not be criminalised.
Then the Pas (or anyone else's) monopoly of hijacking the religion will be diminished. Just do this and Malaysia will be saved.
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