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June 16, 2000 VOL. 29 NO. 23 | SEARCH ASIAWEEK
On Islam in society, change and freedoms Beyond the hot-button topic of Islam and politics, other related questions are now firmly on the agenda in Malaysia. Should Islamic laws be more broadly applied? How should the rights of Muslim-Malays be interpreted in contemporary society and national affairs? What about the balance between the need for stability and calls for greater democracy and transparency? Asiaweek sought the views of three people from different spheres of Malaysian society: Norani Othman, 49, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies at the National University of Malaysia and a member of Sisters of Islam (who stresses she is speaking in a private capacity); Nik Mahani Mohamad, 46, a Kuala Lumpur bank executive; and Sharaad Kuttan, 34, an Indian atheist who is coordinator at the Center for Independent Journalism in the Malaysian capital. Excerpts from their comments: How much should Islamic law be allowed to impact on national and social affairs? Norani: We already have a common-law tradition which seems to be working for people of different faiths. To assume that the implementation of more Islamic laws, especially public ones, would not affect non-Muslims is quite erroneous. Family laws and even criminal laws have affected them -- [in the fields of] divorce, conversion, where the wife of another faith may be neglected and khalwat, where non-Muslims can be detained for questioning. Nik Mahani: Islamic law is a universal law and does not need to be identified as such. It must be embodied in the law of any country, such as Malaysia, that says it is practicing Islam. Should the Muslim majority be given a special place in political, social and economic spheres? Norani: I stand for human rights. All humans should be treated equally, especially by the state. Ideally, no special privileges should be given on the basis of faith, gender, color or creed. [But] if it is based on affirmative action, because the Muslim majority is disadvantaged economically or politically, then this special treatment can be implemented. But it must be done democratically -- that is through discussion and negotiation between the majority and the minority. Nik Mahani: Because this is a Muslim country, we should be at the forefront. I believe Islamic law should be brought in, but it should not hurt anyone. How should Islam deal with other religions in Malaysia? Norani: This has always been problematic in Islamic social theory. There have always been two different views. In a country where the dominant population is Muslim, people of other faiths have a slightly different status. For modern Muslims, is it possible to work out a different set of principles? Sharaad: The principal context that should operate is citizenship. It is the responsibility of the state to maintain the supremacy of citizenship. We should be mindful of that. What is more important, democracy or stability and national unity? Norani:They are equally important. In a nation with multi-ethnic and multireligious constitutents, there cannot be stability without democratic process. Nik Mahani: Democracy should not be sidestepped or ignored for the sake of stability. It should be the other way around. Democracy should be the platform for stability. Do Malaysians want to continue with the system of political patronage or do they want more accountability and transparency in government? Norani: If Malaysians still want political patronage, they will be left behind in the new millennium. Malaysia is becoming more modern and developed, yet many aspects of politics and culture don't seem to be changing. We must start to change very quickly -- from now. Interviews conducted by SANTHA OORJITHAM and ARJUNA RANAWANA Write to Asiaweek at mail@web.asiaweek.com
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