"It is unbelievable that some Malaysians, especially politicians and Muslim scholars, are questioning the status of Malaysia as a secular country. Those who called themselves Malaysians should be familiar with the founding spirit of this country.
During my secondary school days and learning the subject of General Studies, it was explicitly taught to us that Malaysia is a secular country although Islam is its official religion. Islam as an official religion is basically applied to state and palace ceremonies and rituals. Constitutional monarchs are heads of the religion in their respective state.
The Federal Constitution, largely seen as a compromise to bring inter-ethnic peace and harmony post independence, is a secular document. The judiciary had adopted the common law framework. Malaysia is practising an English-styled parliamentary democracy.
The inclusion of Article 3 that professes “Islam is the religion of ‘the Federation’” means that Islam is the State Religion and was not meant to frame the country as a theocratic state. Tun Mohamed Suffian, the former Lord President, emphasised that notwithstanding Article 3, the Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of religion of non-Muslims..."
See more at: http://www.theantdaily.com/main/Constitution%20is%20clear%20on%20Malaysia%E2%80%99s%20secularity;%20no%20need%20to%20seek%20clarification#sthash.lQ05zvPO.dpuf
As a layman, in my humble opinion, it is a matter of time when the sheer majority of the Malay Muslim race will see to the change in the constitution to make Malaysia an Islamic state. Meanwhile, we have to deal with differences of opinion, with each trying to have the last say.
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During my secondary school days and learning the subject of General Studies, it was explicitly taught to us that Malaysia is a secular country although Islam is its official religion. Islam as an official religion is basically applied to state and palace ceremonies and rituals. Constitutional monarchs are heads of the religion in their respective state.
The Federal Constitution, largely seen as a compromise to bring inter-ethnic peace and harmony post independence, is a secular document. The judiciary had adopted the common law framework. Malaysia is practising an English-styled parliamentary democracy.
The inclusion of Article 3 that professes “Islam is the religion of ‘the Federation’” means that Islam is the State Religion and was not meant to frame the country as a theocratic state. Tun Mohamed Suffian, the former Lord President, emphasised that notwithstanding Article 3, the Federal Constitution guarantees freedom of religion of non-Muslims..."
See more at: http://www.theantdaily.com/main/Constitution%20is%20clear%20on%20Malaysia%E2%80%99s%20secularity;%20no%20need%20to%20seek%20clarification#sthash.lQ05zvPO.dpuf
As a layman, in my humble opinion, it is a matter of time when the sheer majority of the Malay Muslim race will see to the change in the constitution to make Malaysia an Islamic state. Meanwhile, we have to deal with differences of opinion, with each trying to have the last say.
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