I am confused: Am I living in an Islamic state?

These were the words of our Deputy Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak

‘Malaysia is an Islamic state and not a secular one’
‘Islam is the official religion and we are an Islamic state’
‘We have never been secular…’

I am confused?

I have read about the Reid Commission responsible for drafting the Constitution and how we were taught taught in school about the equality and human rights and that we were (at least until last week) not an Islamic state.

Our first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman said on the occasion of his 80th birthday as reported by the Star in February, 1983.:

‘The country has a multi-racial population with various beliefs. Malaysia must continue as a secular State with Islam as the official religion’.

Tunku was not alone.

This how the report in the Star reads :

‘Former Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn has supported Tunku Abdul Rahman’s view that Malaysia should not be turned into an islamic state…”The nation can still be functional as a secular state with Islam as the offical religion,” he said’

[Source: The People's Parliament]

Looking at Islamic states today in the other parts of the world, not only am I confused, I am also afraid. Afraid of what the future would be here. I am not surprised when many if my friends tells me they are either in the process of emigrating, planning to emigrate , thinking of it and for those who are not so well-off, dreaming about it. Anyone not in any of the above state of mind - raise your hands! Wonder how many hands we will see.

How do you feel? Confused as I am?

Perhaps if we all read and learn about our Constitution, we will be less confused. Not sure if our politicians ever read them - I doubt it. You might want to read it and send a copy to them for them to read.

I think you can purchase it from the Malaysian Law Journal or some of the following sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Malaysia
http://confinder.richmond.edu/admin/docs/malaysia.pdf
http://www.pogar.org/publications/other/constitutions/malaysia-e.pdf
http://www.gov.my/MyGov/BI/Directory/Citizen/LegalMatters/Constitution/**
http://www.virtualmalaysia.com/our_malaysia/government/constitution.cfm**
**Cannot find the Constitution proper, let me know if you can find it

More readings at The Malaysian Bar Council

Rebirth of Malaysian Soccer?

I thought I could be a little positive (or as positive as I can be) relating to this issue. I guess the last straw is the current Asian Cup tournament - it so painful to watch our Malaysian team play like school kids. It's also really depressing as well. Much has been said in the local media already.
Perhaps I would like to say this to the President, " I do not think you are a coward, just not competent" - please resign and have professionals run FAM"

I look forward to the day I could take my children to the soccer stadium, experience the sights and sounds - of course watch great matches by our national team. Alas, I guess I may not see it again this life time but I hope my children will. FAM have buried the glory past and when the President said that he will not step down - the last rites to Malaysian soccer. As of to day our ranking slipped another 5 points to 154. So, to the people and FAM: "Just Leave!"

An observation though, the interesting thing about this whole episode is how the press, particularly the NST went after the FAM, seeking the justice people demand. This is indeed a rare occasion, it would really be good if the NST couple tackle corruption with this same determination of even hit on our education systems to drive changes. But when I browsed the NST today - the same meekly news (if some can be called "news") showed up. Sigh.

Let wisdom, tolerance and understanding pervail

Late though, I am happy Revathi is finally released - at least physically. Mentally she is still imprisoned. Technically, she is released to the custody of her parents. What does mean when a 29 year-old is released to the custody of her parents? I can understand if she is under 18 years of age, but not this situation. Despite her release, she is not allowed to leave Islam and she will continue to receive "counseling" from the Malacca Islamic Council - not sure how long these "counseling" sessions will last. Sad to day but the there is no release yet - the imprisonment still continues.

What happens to the baby, Diviya? She still does not have a birth certificate. It is also clear that Revathi has not changed her religion and will not do so. I am not sure how long this will go on and when it will end. I personally hope Revathi's personal rights and freedom of choice is respected. Some bedtime reading here, here, here, and here and much more on the internet if you type "Revathi released" search on Google.

Despite the gloom, I feel this is the right time and opportunity for people involved in this case to show tolerance. The Syariah Court, "in its wisdom" has granted the release (The Sun, Jul 6) could continue to demonstrate compassion that made Islam as a great world civilization that it is. This is expressed here and here. I feel this is a time when the world needs to see the true face of Islam in its beauty, depth and splendor.

I pray, wisdom, tolerance and understanding prevails.

Thai constitution drafters vote not to make Buddhism national religion

I feel the right decision is made...

Thai constitution drafters vote not to make Buddhism national religion

my earlier random thought on this matter here.

Buddhist Needs to be more Engaged

Over the past months, we we have been hit by news of religious intolerance and fanaticism. Many concern people have voiced their opinions and through the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Toaism (MCCBCHST) have organized prayer gatherings, vigils and even a memorandum to our Prime Minister. I am sad that it seems that the Buddhist community does not seem to show much concern or awareness of such issues.

A quick glance of blogs and websites that carried the MCCBCHST news and activities are mostly Christian-based websites. There seems little or no news carried in any of the major Buddhist websites or blogs. Am I wrong to say that the Buddhist community are not aware or we not concern about these issues. I do hope I am wrong.

While we focus the mind and the breath during meditation, we need to be aware of the quality of air we are breathing, what will be the point of meditating when the air we breath is dirty. So to with our community, where is real metta, karuna or mudita when we do not feel and act to the injustices in our community.

I pray we can and will make a positive impact to our community.

Where is tolarance?

I am not sure how many people heard about the incident in Bangsar recently. The NST's Syed Nazri wrote a commentary here only after Lim Kit Siang highlighted it here. We shake our heads and wonder what's happening to our society. I am sadden to know that the Revathi and Suresh case is still unresolved, in the name of religion families get broken up and happiness gets thrown out the back door (or front door). Where is tolerance? I feel it makes more sense that the inter-religious dialogue be carried out immediately and I think the Inter-Religious Commission is a good move to start with. I also appreciate the MALAYSIAN CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF BUDDHISM, CHRISTIANITY, HINDUISM, SIKHISM & TAOISM (MCCBCHST) in their efforts. One such effort in the the publication of a booklet that represents a memorandum of concern submitted to our country’s highest authority which sadly has not been responded (at least not publicly). It is good to know that the MCCBCHST is been active in the forefront here and elsewhere.

Where is tolerance when the putting up of the images of different religions is not accepted like in recent case in Bangsar? Where is tolerance when in schools only religion is made dominant. We have heard of so much horror stories of the death of religious tolerance in Malaysia such as here and here. It does not help when other religions makes disrespectful remarks about other religions here. I am sure there are much more website and blogs that expresses their own opinion. Is this a sign that the degeneration of our society getting worse?

It it also sad when within religious organizations continue to have bickering and in-fighting happens, and allow the personal ego to dominate. Yes, there are and will continue to be differences in thoughts and perspectives, in the Buddhism is is called ditthi (interesting article on karma and ditthi by Bikkhu P A Payutto here).

I personally feel we all need to see the bigger picture of social justice, tolerance and development. Yet, we must see them from the smallest perspective - our own personal spiritual practice and communication with God.

Can play a role, each and everyone of us? I pray, we look into our hearts to find that peace to bring back tolerance into our society.
May all beings be well and happy.