Are We An Islamic State Or Not? Najib Says "Yes" But MCA Says "No"!

In a telling dichotomy of views between the senior most partners in the ruling BN coalition, the issue of whether Malaysia is an Islamic state took a disputatious and potentially messy turn when the MCA openly contradicted the legally untenable opinion voiced by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

To those Malays and Muslims who are not well versed with legal provisions in the Federal Constitution, such a declaration by Najib is welcome news. In their heart of hearts this is probably what they had always thought and the DPM's contention is merely a confirmation.

To the non-Muslims however, this Najib 'declaration' is more proof of the rocky road ahead for them as Umno attempts to stay in tandem with genuine Islamic states while (thankfully) still holding on tight to the 'moderate' tag. Over the past few days much has been written about Najib's views on the subject, so let us focus here on what the MCA has to say.

According to an NST report, the MCA, after reviewing the documents used in the process of drafting the Federal Constitution, insisted that Malaysia is a secular state. "The documents showed that a secular state is the foundation of the formation of Malaya and this consensus was made by our forefathers," the party’s secretary-general, Datuk Ong Ka Chuan said. The position was clear as evidenced by numerous historical documents, including the Reid Report, the Cobbold Commission and a 1988 Supreme Court decision.

Ong added that the issue of Malaya as a secular state was vigorously debated again during the 1962 Cobbold Commission before the entry of Sabah and Sarawak, forming Malaysia. "Again, the secular nature of Malaysia was reiterated as having been stated in the Reid Commission. The secular nature of our Federal Constitution has been the basis for our nation building since 1957 and reinforced in 1963."

Meanwhile The Bar Council said that in the context of the country’s history and the constitution itself that proclaimed its supremacy, there was no doubt whatsoever that Malaysia was a secular state. "It is time that the proposition that Malaysia is not secular (which is a rewriting of the constitution), be put to rest once and for all and that there is due recognition and reaffirmation of the clear legal and constitutional position that Malaysia is, and has always been, a secular state."

***** Setting legalese aside, what prompted Najib to so unequivocally make that statement? Do you really think that he believes what he said or even subscribes to that view? Unlikely. He is merely acting the role expected of an Umno pemimpin who has appropriated to himself the 'noble' task of 'struggling' demi bangsa, agama dan negara, nothing else. The opinion which he expressed has been noted, much to the delight of his target audience, the simple Malay voter. That's enough for him. The others can go to hell and discuss and debate the issue till the lembu2 come home, for all he cares. He has made his point and hopefully that will translate into votes and more support within Umno for him in the immediate future; a sort of instant political pahala for the neo-Islamic Malay armchair warrior, Hang Najib.
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An interesting read: HERE.
An interesting development,( via Malaysiakini): Ministry Bans Islamic State Debate In Media.