Land of fatwas
Zaid Ibrahim
Malays are a demanding lot — that we know. They have enjoyed special privileges far beyond what was intended under the Federal Constitution and have survived on a rentier business model since 1969. Now they want to regulate and manage this supposedly emerging high-income country in an “Islamic” manner. But they are not treating Islam seriously.
Some Malays are unhappy with Malaysia Airlines cabin crew having to serve alcohol to flight passengers, although they must have known what was expected of the crew when they applied for the jobs. Others have suggested that MAS not serve alcohol at all, and that the airline should mandate appropriate dressing for their stewardesses, i.e. have them cover their aurat. But none of them care to comment on the PM’s wife’s dress code, and her aurat. They know when to shut up when it involves people in high places.
Then there has been a proliferation of fatwas on numerous things, the latest is vaping. The country used to depend on the Cabinet to make rulings but with the advent of fatwas, even state governments can ban any business activities considered to be haram. Negeri Sembilan, for example, has banned vaping for Muslims, again because of a fatwa. As expected tobacco companies are spared the ban, although smoking is also haram.
Big companies and VVIPs are not affected by fatwas in the country.
