The great confusion over a non-issue
Get this once and for all: Malaysia is neither a strictly secular state nor a theocracy.
Roslan Bistamam, Free Malaysia Today
It is disheartening to read statements by politicians and religious scholars arguing about whether Malaysia is a secular state or an Islamic state. This shows their lack of understanding that Malaysia is unique in that it is neither a secular nor an Islamic state, at least not in the real sense of the word.
In a secular state, there is a very clear separation between the state and the church. An Islamic state, on the other hand, is a theocracy with the “church” deciding all matters. Malaysia is neither. Malaysia adopts the Westminster Parliamentary system of government but with Islam as the religion of the Federation. The Federal Constitution is very clear on this.
The first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, explained this more than 50 years ago; so there should no longer be any confusion on the matter. Why this still needs to be argued and hence confuse the people is puzzling.
Even though the Shariah laws may apply in certain situations, they apply only to Muslims. In an Islamic state or theocracy, however, everyone, non-Muslims included, would be subjected to these laws.
Whether Malaysia is changed into an Islamic state or theocracy is something that Parliament needs to decide. If that is what Parliament decides, then the Constitution will need to be amended. As it stands now, that has not been done. Hence there is no change in the status of Malaysia since Merdeka in 1957.
