Where Are the Malays and Indonesians Heading?

Indonesia and Malaysia were considered amongst the most liberal Muslim countries in the world; even more secular than the officially 'non-religious' Turkey. Although Muslims in these two states were quite observant in their religious practices, they never crossed the boundaries and interfered in the affairs of the state. Malaysia, in particular, was cited as an example of cultural and religious harmony as there are significant populations of Hindus and Chinese besides the simple majority of the Muslims. Indonesia also has nearly 14% non-Muslims, which is a big figure compared to more 'staunch' countries of the Middle East.

Despite the cultural and religious plurality, religious tensions were almost unheard of until a few years ago. First, it was Malaysia where minority ethnic groups complained of discrimination in jobs at the hand of the majority Malays. Indonesia, on the other hand, is passing through a semi-violent stage of Islamic militancy. The trend has seen a massive surge in recent years with the rise of Islamic militants. The recent killing of a major Indonesian militant might decelerate the rise of extremism but there are other organizations that are ready to pick up the pieces and continue their 'mission.'

One of the worrying trends in recent months is the public acceptance of strict Islamic penalties for drinking and other 'crimes.' A Malaysian woman accepted the sentence of caning meted out by an Islamic court; the charge was drinking in public. The legislative council of Aceh, northwestern province of Indonesia, passed a law that will allow the stoning of adulterers. Fortunately, the governor of Aceh has enough sanity left not to ratify that bill.

Malaysia, on the other hand, is continuing with its harsh implementation of Islamic sentences. An Islamic court has ordered an unmarried couple to be caned, as they were trying to have sex in a car. The couple, along with the woman who publicly drank, is awaiting their punishments.

The countries known for their moderate atmosphere and relaxed cultural settings are seeing the downfall of Islamic extremism. Indonesia already faces a big challenge of Islamic extremism and terrorism; Malaysia, on the other hand, is trying its best to follow its southern neighbor. Both of these countries do not have a Muslim majority, and there can be serious repercussions of an 'Islamization' campaign.

Malaysia, in particular, suffers, as Muslims are just a simple majority in this country and any over-emphasis on Islamic punishments can disturb the ethno-religious balance of the country. The discrimination against non-Muslims/non-Malays is a big issue and it can blow up to unimaginable proportions if not controlled. While Indonesia is trying to curb the growth of extremist elements, the Malaysian government is actually encouraging it (or at least not doing anything about it).

The strategic location of these countries in South East Asia and the vulnerability of international trade routes in case of any internal mayhem can disrupt international peace. Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world; both the American and Chinese interests intermingle in this region and any untoward situation can prove disastrous. Malaysian and Indonesian governments need to rethink their options in this regard; Indonesia is already doing that but Malaysia looks stern on its position.

Comments

[khanti]

Err... I think you ae confusing readers with your unlear defination of your two descriptions of punishments in Malaysia. There are two sets of laws in Malaysia. A Syriah Laws for muslims and civil laws/criminal for non muslims and muslims. The woman caught drinking is a muslim and muslim in any country is forbiden to consume alcohol especially in public places. This law do not apply to non muslims. So if you are not a muslim you can drink all you want. It is very rare to find muslim women drinking in public the one caught drinking is actually a singaporean married to a Malaysian. Any way she insisted to be caned and the caning is not like those metered out to criminals it does not leave scars. It is more as a form of humiliation for those who sinned.
The couple caught having sex in the car are also muslims. Most Asia countries are strict against indecent acts in public. You don't do it in China and India either. So what gives Mr. Saad Khan?

[jamiso]

"The woman caught drinking is a muslim and muslim in any country is forbiden to consume alcohol especially in public places"

That's not true at all. I'm aware of no laws in the USA that forbids a muslim women from drinking wine.

[khanti]

Ok I will rephrase the sentence :- "The woman caught drinking is a muslim and muslim in any Islamic country is forbiden to consume alcohol especially in public places"


Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/saad-khan/where-are-the-malays-and_b_292372.html?show_comment_id=31377615#comment_31377615

[Joel Ng]

"religious tensions were almost unheard of until a few years ago"

Uhm, religious and racial tensions (the two are very closely tied, indeed racial tensions underly the religious tensions) have been simmering for decades if not longer - the expulsion of Singapore by Malaysia, fighting between Christians and Muslims in Celebes, Chinese in Indonesia having to change their names to hide their identities... Some newer tensions are flaring up now, such as Hindu/Tamil groups in Malaysia protesting their marginalisation, but other tensions have always been around just beneath the surface. The radicalisation of Islam has led to a stronger recoil from other groups, that is the only change.

The author doesn't seem to realise that harder line sharia in Malaysia, while good for making headline cases, is only applicable in the northern states like Kelantan, and only to Muslims, there is no chance of an Indian or Chinese person being done for those 'crimes' unless they converted to Islam. The actual issue is the race-based bumiputera laws that favour Malays which the Malay-dominated opposition has actually vowed to remove them.

[jamiso]

The author also seems to gloss over those "tensions". The Anti Chinese riots of the 90s, Papua uprising, sectarian wars in Ambon and Sulawesi..... calling it tensions is an understatement.

[jamiso]

Few mistakes

First off "recent killing of a major Indonesian militant"
Top was a Malaysian. All the terrorist heads like Bashir are Malaysians, The Malaysians export their terrorists to Indonesia, and Indonesian people know and resent it.

Malaysia's muslims majority has always interfered with the state. That is why Malaysia is an official "Islamic State" with an official religion of Islam, the reason it goes unnoticed, is because 40% of the population are Indian Hindus and Chinese, and the nonmuslims are not subject to Sharia law.
So there exists 2 ,Malaysias.

Indonesia is, in fact, actually a pluralistic country, who's founder rejected an islamic state, or making islam the official religion. Sukarno based Indonesia on his pancasila. It is important to remember that for the grand majority of history, till recently, Islam as practiced by the Javanese was anything but orthodox, and relied more on its hindu roots. People like Sukarno followed the Kejawen, first. The problem in indonesia is the move from agama jawa and traditional culture to a more orthodox "middle eastern" religion.
And it IS scary.

[straight record]

Mr. Saad Khan,

Every where in world there is discrimination gainst minorities, If it is there in Indonesia and Malaysia, So is there in France, USA and India. democracies always try to appease majority first, there should international law for protection of minorities in all countries. But few powerful countries who control the world never allow that to happen. They don't want equality.

[jamiso]

"democracies always try to appease majority first"
Huh? The USA has the Bill of Rights, which does just that, protecting the minority from Mob rule. Other western nation have the same thing.

"there should international law for protection of minorities in all countries. But few powerful countries who control the world never allow that to happen."

I take it you never heard of something called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights... and it is not "powerful that nations who control the world" that oppose it. Feel free to see the nations that did not sign it, for an idea.

In general, you argument seems poorly researched