Malaysian Projection of a Moderate Muslim State- a complicated relationship between religion and politics:
Recently a relatively isolated event where a Malaysian woman was found guilty of drinking alcohol and sentenced to six strokes of the cane, made international headlines. Many at the domestic Islamist front fail to understand the disquieting internation
al reaction. But in the wider context of international politics Malaysia is looking more and more like an isolated, parochial state, raising a dilemma for the state that aims at projecting it self as a moderate model Muslim nation.Muslims account for nearly 60% of Malaysia's 27 million people and they are barred from consuming alcohol under Islamic laws. The problem, one analyst[1] notes is manifold: for one the ruling, handled by the Shariah court of Pahang now raises the question of whether the Federal government can intervene to save face internationally. Federal-state relations in legal matters will therefore be the crux of the legal side of the debate.
Adding to the confusion is the problematic and complicated relationship between religion and politics in the country, where the borderline between Islam and politics has grown increasingly blurred after three decades of ‘state-driven Islamisation’.
Yet another incident was the recent ban levied at a concert in Kuala Lumpur because it was being sponsored by an Irish Beer Company. Though the decision was later revoked in order to boost tourism, it projects a basic predicament for the state in Malaysia. As a nation economically banking on a boosting tourist industry, the situation is made all the more complicated.
The dilemma lies in the balancing act of projecting moderation while not offending the conservative Islamic community. Malaysia has long been trying to cultivate its image as a moderate model state able to act as a cultural bridge between the west and the Muslim world. Though Malaysia’s ruling UMNO party is trying its best to defend its own Islamic credentials in the face of the opposition Islamic party PAS. The Islamic party in turn is split in its conscience, between moderates who wish to push the democratization agenda and conservatives who wish to lay the foundations for more Islamisation.
Discussion Questions:
· Has the ‘state driven Islamisation’ in Malaysia irrevocably damaged the nation’s international image?
· Does the degree of influence from international elements depict an erosion of state sovereignty?
· In a predominantly Muslim nation, with established democratic institutions, is the goal to keep religion and politics separate too ambitious?
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[1] Dr Farish A Noor, ‘Malaysia as a Model State?’, Khaleej Times, http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=/data/opinion/2009/September/opinion_September4.xml§ion=opinion
Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' This project has been undertaken and developed by the Gilani Research Foundation as a free resource and social discussion tool.
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