THE recent remarks by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs) Idris Ahmad calling on Muslims in the country not to attend the Bon Odori festival gives us Malaysians an opportunity to reflect on the principle of the separation of religion from the state and politics.
To be clear, I think it is not a problem when religious leaders and their followers have discussions and debates on such matters concerning their faith. This happens in every religion and is part of the process of discovering one’s faith and the values it promotes.
I remember that this sort of debates, on the acceptance of cultural celebration also takes place within the Catholic Church. Vatican has a very clear stand when it comes to this, that the Church accepts the diversity of culture and stresses for its followers to never forget their culture.
In the Catholic terminology, this is called cultural enculturation, where the diversity of cultures is incorporated into the Church and their practices harmonised with the Gospel. This was often emphasised by Pope John Paul II in his communions.
For example, the Tamil Harvest festival “Ponggal”, Chinese New Year and the Hari Gawai and Kaamatan are widely celebrated by Christians too, symbolising cultural incorporation by the Catholic Church.
I am of the view that every religion is free to debate and decide what is right or wrong for them, in accordance with their beliefs and practices. Religious leaders of different faiths have the right to advise their followers on the do’s and don’ts pertaining to their religion.
The issue here is when these sorts of comments or instructions come from a minister. Now, this becomes a problem for all Malaysians because such views are seen as the official stand of the country and the people. In actual fact, it does not represent the views or beliefs of the multi-ethnic who come from diverse religious backgrounds.
The repercussion of such a statement or view is on the entire Malaysian population and not on a particular community or group. If Japan, for example, decides to pull out investments from Malaysia because of that statement made by Idris, every Malaysian would be affected by this.
Such statements also cause disharmony between the followers of different cultures and religions in Malaysia when it is expressed and propagated by the Government.
Article 3(1) of the Federal Constitution states that Islam is the religion of the Federation and other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in any part of the federation.
The Supreme Court, in a 1988 case decided by then-Lord President Tun Salleh Abas had stated that we are a secular state and the civil court administers secular law.
Tunku Abdul Rahman, during his 80th birthday celebration organised by the Barisan Nasional in 1983, said that: “The Constitution must be respected and adhered to. There have been attempts by some people who tried to introduce religious laws and morality laws. This cannot be allowed.”
No doubt, it has been a contention for many years now on whether Malaysia is an Islamic or secular country. I believe, it is the latter.
Perhaps it is now time for us to revisit the Federal Constitution and word out the clear need to separate religion from the state. The involvement of religion in shaping state policies has been an obstacle to Malaysia’s development and competitiveness on the global stage and in turn, has affected every taxpayer in this country.
Politicians have exploited religion for their own political survival and created disunity among the different cultures and religions in Malaysia. How much longer must we tolerate these politicians tearing apart our country?
This emphasises the need for our country to be governed by secular values that takes into account the rights and freedoms of every Malaysians including the practice of all religions. I am not advocating for the rights of Muslims to be curtailed in any way but merely seeking for the separation of religion from the state.
A secular Government will have no business in meddling in the administration of faith related matters and secular values would be the cornerstone in deciding for policies, laws and even on approvals for festivals such as the Bon Odori.
All religions and cultures in Malaysia then can continue to be practiced in peace and harmony. – June 11, 2022
K Sudhagaran Stanley is a human rights activist and contributor to FocusM.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
