MALAYSIA
Updated 27 October 2006
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Government Type: Constitutional Monarchy
Independence: 31 August 1957 (from UK)
Chief of State: Paramount Ruler Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail (since 12 December 2001)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (since 31 October 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Najib Abdul Razak (since 7 January 2004)
Cabinet: appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament with consent of the paramount ruler.
State Religion: Islam
Statistics
Population: 26.6 millions (as of May 31 2006)
Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, Indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8% (2004 est.)
Religions: Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Traditional Chinese Religions 2.6%, others 2.4%; note - in addition, Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia (2000 Census)
Unemployment: 3.6% (2005 est.)
The two main mineral resources, tin and petroleum, are significance in the Malaysian economy. Malaysia was once the world's largest producer of tin until the collapse of the tin market in the early 1980s.
Political Development & Human Rights
Since independence in 1957, Malaysia has been governed by a multi-racial coalition known as the Barisan Nasional. The general perception is “communal interests are resolved in the framework of a grand coalition.”
The official state ideology is the Rukunegara, which has been described as encouraging "respect for a pluralistic, multireligious and multicultural society". However, political scientists have argued that the slogan of Bangsa, Agama, Negara (race, religion, nation) used by UMNO constitutes an unofficial ideology as well. Both ideologies have "generally been used to reinforce a conservative political ideology, one that is Malay-centred".
On 9 May 2006, Malaysia was among 47 nations elected by the United Nations General Assembly to the new UN Human Rights Council. The country's human rights performance has indeed improved in the recent years. The press has become bolder and freer in criticising government policies and officials, exposing corruption of the local authorities, and covering the contentious debate at the Dewan Rakyat.
The human rights groups, however, think otherwise and identify some of problems:
· The increased constraints on the ability of Muslims to change their religion
· Ethnic discrimination in terms of economy (e.g. preferential programs designed to boost economic position of bumiputras, Orang Asli continue to be the poorest group, OA land ownership, etc.)
· Gender discrimination (Muslim women in particular)
· Denial of fair public trial (e.g. Moorthy's case, Ayah Pin followers, those detained under Internal Security Act, etc.)
· Disregard of public justice at the judicial level in religious freedom (e.g. apostasy cases).
· Restrictions on freedom of the press. The Sarawak Tribune was indefinitely suspended on February 8th because of publishing a controversial cartoon depicting a religious figure. The media and journalists have to contend with a number of restrictions e.g. The Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Broadcasting Act 1988, Official Secrets Act 1972, Sedition Act 1948, and Internal Security Act 1960. However, Malaysia has improved in its ranking from 113th position in 2005 to 92nd this year in the RSF World Press Freedom Index.
To date, Malaysia has only ratified two out of the twelve international human rights treaties of the United Nations. There are the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (ratified in 4 Aug 1995) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (19 March 1995).
Religious Freedom
Theoretically, the constitution guarantees religious freedom, in practice the situation is not so simple.
To date, question including whether Malays can leave Islam and whether Malaysia is an Islamic state or secular state remains unresolved. For the most part, the multiple religions within Malaysia interact peacefully and exhibit mutual respect. This is evident by the continual peaceful co-existence of cultures and ethnic groups.
- Non-Muslims occasionally experience restrictions in activities such as construction of religious buildings. Several NGOs have complained about the demolition of unregistered Hindu temples and shrines located on state and local lands.
- Muslims are obliged to follow the decisions of syariah courts.
- In early 2005, much debate was stirred up by a proposed Inter-Faith Commission put forward by various individuals included academics and lawyers from the Bar Council. The framework included advising relevant parties on the inter-faith issues that arise in pluralistic Malaysia. However, it was perceived by mainstream Islamic groups as undermining their religion. The draft bill was put on hold by the prime minister.
- Muslims who wish to convert from Islam face severe obstacles. The legal process of conversion is unclear. In several recent rulings, the civil courts relinquished jurisdiction to syariah courts in matters involving conversion to or out of Islam. In practice, syariah courts routinely deny requests to apostatise, except in January 2006, the court ruled that a deceased 89 year-old Malay woman was an apostate and allowed her to be buried according to Buddhist rites.
- In view of the rising tensions caused by Lina Joy’s case, the prime minister has, in August, urged the states to enact laws barring proselytizing of Muslims by members of other faiths.
- The Government opposes what it considers deviant interpretations of Islam, maintaining that the "deviant" groups’ extreme views cause divisions among Muslims and endanger national security. As of June, the authorities identified 56 deviant teachings. Ayah Pin and one of his four wives remain at large, and are sought by religious authorities for supporting "deviant" religious practices. The authorities continue to monitor the activities of the Shi’a minority.
- In January, the non-Muslim members of the cabinet presented a memorandum to the prime minister calling for a review of constitutional provisions affecting the legal rights of non-Muslims. Following protests from several Muslim leaders within the governing coalition, the ministers withdrew their memorandum. The prime minister stated publicly that the country's constitution provides sufficient protection of religious freedom and should therefore not be reviewed or amended.
Malaysian citizens in generally respect one another's religious beliefs, with inter-religious problems arising mainly from the political sphere.
The Church
Despite having to operate in a circumscribed cultural and political atmosphere, the Church continues to be active and vibrant. It is precisely this constraint that pushes the churches to internationalise their activities and links. Regardless, churches are generally free from threats and disruption of their worship services.
Challenges confronting the Church are materialism, independent spirit and complacency.
As the government pushes to make the nation a global competitor, the Church continues to exert significant influence within the country as well as the region and beyond.
How lovely on the mountain are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7).
Continue to pray:
- The government to be impartial in legislating laws, ability to make wise decision, courage to stand for what is right and to do what is good, wisdom in formulating government policies.
- Uphold Constitutional rights and freedom to worship; judiciary to interpret laws justly and openly with great discernment and respect for human rights in particular Freedom of Religion.
- Change of mindset and enlightenment of hearts among the conservation groups, that those like Lina Joy can profess a religion of their choice.
- The Church
- Unity and God-dependence.
- Continues to “nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to that of the dominant culture”
- Be salt & light in all aspects that the Kingdom of God be established not only in the hearts of men but also in the socio-political and economic structures.
- Fear of God, not fear of man.
- Believers like Lina Joy to be steadfast in faith in the midst of persecution and rejection.
Reference:
- CIA Factbook, 5 October 2006
- Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2005, released March 2006
- International Religious Freedom Report September 2006
- Amnesty International 2006
- Human Rights Watch World Report 2006
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia
- Robbie B. H. Goh, Christianity in Southeast Asia. Singapore: ISEAS Pub., 2005.
- "Conclusion". In John Funston (Ed.), Government and Politics in Southeast Asia, pp. 417–418
- The 4th Southeast Asia Prayer Consultation (SEAPC), 10-14 October 2006. Batam, Indonesia.
|
