Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia must find ways to honour its Islamic heritage while embracing its multicultural identity to ensure every Malaysian feels respected and included in the nation’s future, said Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Madius Tangau.
The Upko Honorary President said Malaysia is facing a growing tension between respect for Islam and respect for multiculturalism which he sees as the two foundational pillars of the nation.
“So often, police reports are made and statements issued. Contrary to the claim of Malay-Muslim nationalists in Malaya, Islam is more entrenched and not under threat in Malaysia.
He cited the stationing of Jakim officials in every government agency.
“While Jakim has the power over what Muslims can eat and drink, a proposal is made to mandate pork-free restaurants run by non-Muslims to also get halal certificates.
Non-Muslim MP Teresa Kok is investigated for speaking up the concerns of non-Muslim food businesses.
“From where I live in Sabah, the real issue is not Islam being disrespected. Rather, Islam and multiculturalism are deliberately framed as incompatible and that multiculturalism must take a back seat.
“It is this artificially-framed zero-sum game, that episodes of culture war are staged all year long, one after another. When one episode subsides, a new episode quickly emerges.
“For example, would the presence of the Tiger Beer logo in a Chinese school fund-raising dinner in the small town of Sungai Pelek be an issue if the officiating guest was Teo Nie Cheng (Deputy Minister of Communications and a non-Muslim leader from DAP) instead of Aiman Athirah Sabu (Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government and Amanah’s Wanita Chief)?
“Step by step, Muslim nationalists declare certain non-Muslim practices as unIslamic and demand them to be eliminated in the name of Syariah-compliant universal moral values.
“Non-Muslims can drink, consume non-halal foods and dress the way they like only in their respective cultural ghettos. Beyond these ghettos, everything public would have to be aligned with Islamic norms dictated by Muslim nationalists.
“The boundaries and standards of non-Muslim space are not even cast in stone. What was allowed yesterday may become unacceptable today.
“In August, a Muslim nationalist Menteri Besar decided that Chinese temples now cannot have female performers in their Hungry Ghost Festival performances.
“Wonder why there is a deafening silence from the Federal Government. The Prime Minister’s call for mutual respect is politically correct only for his international audience, but not for the domestic audience.
Madius said the vast majority of Borneo Muslims don’t see the interest of Muslims as a zero-sum game.
He stressed the need for Malaysia to maintain a delicate balance between Islamic values and multiculturalism for its long-term sustainability.
Failure to do so could lead to political apathy, brain drain and even increased support for East Malaysian separatism.
