- Stop the racist politics of suspicion and hate in the country
- The 2013 election results: back to the drawing board for both coalitions
- Spewing a poisonous brew on the Chinese ‘Lack of Multiracial Spirit'
- Vote for a revolutionary kind of development
- Perlunya lebih ramai calon-calon wanita dalam PRU
- BN’s triple cocktail of Race, Hudud and Fear is not working
- Fiscal risks to Malaysia's polls
- Opposition will clinch popular vote in GE13
Freeing the Malays and Muslims from religious mind control
Written by Pak Sako Monday, 12 September 2011 14:22
Contributors
There appears to be a Malay-Islamic Inquisition in Malaysia.
It does not involve burnings at the stake.
It comes as ostracism at school, the workplace and in the community for failing to comply with rigid parameters. Not wearing a headscarf is frowned upon. Transgenders are institutional pariahs.
Religious arrogance and zealotry are norms. Muslim leaders can assuredly rebuff equal partnership on inter-religious discussion panels. The Islamic moral police is free to raid churches and insult the Malay person’s dignity and autonomy.
Refusal to play along with another community’s passion for its customs is condemned as chauvinistic or unconstitutional – the fate of elected representatives in Sarawak who chose the customary suit and tie over expensive uniforms and songkoks for a state assembly opening.
Closing the gap with South Korea or Singapore at the top of quality-of-life indicators such as the UN Human Development Index is a minor national concern.
We are prouder to have been ranked by the Pew Forum’s Government Restriction Index alongside Saudi Arabia and Iran as world champions in constricting religious freedoms and other civil rights.
The time has come to face the facts. ‘Moderate Malaysia’ and ‘moderate Islam’ are as good as dead. If our interest is to revive moderateness, we do not flog dead hypes. We must address the causes of death.
The problem
Two pervasive mentalities stand out among the chief culprits. They are racial and religious supremacy.
Racial supremacy expects non-Malay citizens to be eternally grateful to the Malay race for granting their forefathers citizenship at Independence. It demands from the non-Malays unquestionable deference to the Malays, their culture and arbitrary declarations of Malay rights or privileges.
Religious supremacy is the conviction that the Islamic belief is superior to all other beliefs and that it is the only path to true spirituality. Its adherents must not compromise on officially stipulated Islamic ideas and practices and cannot opt-out of the religion. Non-believers are fodder for conversion.
A set of underlying reasons drive these mentalities. Political motives aside, there is a historical fear of disenfranchisement; a concept of entitlement as an exclusive birthright; envy; low self-esteem; a craving for a source of self-pride; a fear of the new or alien; meekness; and narrow-mindedness.
Supremacism is sold as the cure-all. But it only adds to the problem.
The projection of cultural or religious might becomes a pretext for the powerful to impose conformity and thereby control upon a majority. Behind the false security of religious dogma or ethnic nationalism, it is spiritually and psychologically defeating. It turns what should be a happy bazaar of exchange between cultures into a cautious tightrope walk. It sabotages nation-building, whatever the unifying slogan or initiative devised.
Consider how this plays out in Malay-non-Malay relations.
The ordinary Malay in Malaysia is kept at a near constant state of anxiety by the tirade about the non-Malays seeking to usurp Malay political and economic rights. The Malays are repeatedly called on to be united in the name of race and religion to fend off this imagined strike. To alleviate his insecurities the Malay is offered:
- A political guarantee that national policy will be dictated by the Malays (or Muslims) and economic concessions in the form of government jobs for the unemployable etc. These are promised in exchange for support for certain political parties and obedience to hierarchy;
- Supposed spiritual salvation by thorough religious submission. This is codified in law, taught in religious education, enforced by religious bodies and reinforced by social and peer pressure; and
- Financial incentives such as easy loans and credit for material intoxication by retail therapy and a temporary relative wealth effect vis-à-vis the non-Malays.
There is no commensurate effort to unleash the Malay mind and encourage the Malay person to seize the day, excel, question, take charge, propose or dissent. Political leaders and the religious bureaucracy do not favour this; an empowered people puts at stake their political influence and economic privilege.
The outcome is a large class of Malays that is averse to thinking, recoils from taking responsibility and content with following instructions. Ennui, the deep weariness and dissatisfaction stemming from mindless satiety and boredom, is a common affliction.
It is to this oppressive vacuity that the non-Malays are portrayed as ‘threats’. It is also implied that the non-Malay cultures and attitudes can weaken Malay religiosity or morals (see, for example, Jakim’s 'Guidelines for Muslims celebrating religious festivals of non-Muslims').
The Malays, for their part, are seen by the non-Malays as being exclusive and hegemonic with their loudspeakers and educational and economic quotas.
The result is isolation between the communities, the straining of social ties under the slightest provocation and the successful thwarting of real solidarity between the races.
The usual prescription is for the non-Malays to toe the line, to adapt without protest, or— told more gently by a prominent Malay DAP member— to be “responsive” to the Malays’ “primordial sentiments of culture and religion”.
This misguided paradigm must go.
A proposal
Since the primary point of attack is the Malay psyche, the remedy must as a matter of course focus on the Malays. Liberating the Malays from mind control is key to improving the Malay lot and normalising race relations.
There is however a limited window of opportunity for action. This window is closing with the increasing Islamisation of Malaysia. A new way of seeing and doing is therefore urgent.
It must culminate in new rules of engagement that redefine the attitudes of the Malays and non-Malays, the relations between these communities and the institutional setup encompassing these.
A blueprint would read as follows:
1. For the Malay individual:
(a) To do what is necessary to be confident. Self-esteem must arise primarily from character and ability, not from external sources such as racial and religious hubris.
(b) To be outgoing and socially inclusive. To expand one’s company beyond just one racial or religious community in as many settings as possible.
(c) To take action instead of simply reacting. To not restrict oneself to old activities or ways of doing.
(d) To be able to evaluate and decide a personal response to matters of custom and religion. To not capitulate under coercion and social pressure to conform to a fixed way or idea.
(e) To be receptive to new information, ideas and values. To be able to reflect on them critically, and fairly (to give equal consideration to the pros and cons).
(f) To be able to be critical of one’s own cherished ideas and beliefs. To be able to accept outside criticisms and see them as opportunities for learning and improvement, not as a call to war.
(g) To be above viewing the world purely in black and white. To acquire the vantage that enables one to see that a diversity of ideas and beliefs can and do co-exist, and that this is natural and not wrong.
2. For the Malay community:
(a) To boldly review customs and belief systems that might function to enslave or disadvantage the community or its members. This would involve beliefs and practices that condone blind faith in an idea or decree and blind allegiance in a leader or a scholar.
(b) To cultivate amongst its members the habit of questioning norms and authority. To not accept rules or statements out of fear or mere confidence in an authority. To be able to verify the rationales behind rules and remarks and judge whether they are just or not.
(c) To accept the individual’s right to consider his practice of customs and religion as a personal matter; that advice or guidance may be provided by religious bodies for a community, but that these beliefs and practices should not be forced upon any member of the community. To encourage individuals to evaluate religious precepts and advice by reference to their intellect and own sense of what is right or wrong.
3. For both the Malay and non-Malay communities:
(a) The non-Malays must treat the Malays as fellow brothers and sisters, with dignity, understanding and compassion. Effort should be made to communicate and interact with, not shun, the Malay community.
(b) The Malays must reciprocate. In addition, the Malays must rightfully regard their non-Malay brothers and sisters as equal citizens.
(c) To overcome cultural hypersensitivity. To be tactful in making suggestions or be gracious in receiving suggestions pertaining to the so-called ‘sensitive issues’ (for example, matters relating to places of worship).
(d) To cease to see the preferences or cultural particulars of another community as slights or threats. To cultivate instead an appreciation for the value of diversity. To be able to partake in the festivities of any community without excessive anxieties or scruples.
4. For the progressive and liberal Malays:
(a) To inspire their fellow Malays to break out of restrictive thinking and habits.
(b) To take the initiative to speak out against policies, laws and actions which inhibit their people’s material and mental progress.
(c) To support Malay or Islamic organisations and movements that are progressive.
5. For political leaders, institutions and other authorities:
(a) To refrain from speech and action that sow suspicion and division between the Malays and non-Malays or cause a community to feel excluded.
(b) Religious bodies and leaders in particular may educate the public but should never engage in actions that humiliate their targets or compel them to do what is not in their hearts.
(c) To ensure that religious laws and regulations do not discriminate against people by gender, sexual orientation or religious denomination. To disapprove biased interpretations of these laws and regulations.
6. For political parties:
(a) To resolutely uphold and espouse progressive living and thinking. To favour inclusive values and ideologies over narrow and exclusive ones.
(b) To cease from propagating or condoning any form of religious chauvinism (the act of putting one religion ahead of or above all others) because of the political expediency of securing votes.
7. The social environment:
(a) To create an environment that allows cultural, intellectual and physical interaction between the races that is free from fear, prejudice and other obstructions.
The foregoing is by no means complete, but it indicates the general spirit that any such 'social contract' must have.
It must in essence motivate the Malays to take control of the wheels of their destiny. The immediate implications are for the Malays to free themselves from religious programming and assert their authority from the grassroots upward.
The prospect may be scary. But the old way of being led by the nose is destructive. The Malays should no longer remain as feudalistic subjects of the political and religious elite. The elite owe the Malays that dignity.
-
16-07-2012 | Yusoff - You can't free the Malays from Islam
Dear Pak Sako
I read your article with high interest. But I would like to point out a single fact that you failed to comprehend about the Malay's psyche. From the historical point of view, the Malays thought, behavior and personality - is highly influenced by their religion. Islam is not merely a ritual religion as commonly understood by other faiths, but a comprehensive system and way of life. Allah, is not a god one merely prostrate down to, but the Supreme Creator and Master one obey in his life conduct. A Malay prays not once a week, but five times a day. Thus, he is so connected to his religion more than anything else. His existence is defined by his religion.
-
31-10-2011 | realistic
wahhh....looks like that all people is "hentam malays"..hmmm...the overall can said that our race relationship just a retoric only...or in others words..bad..worst..whatsover..Malaysia is the only country that live in peace with multiracial people...really?..Tuan...Tokey...Dey...Apek...Pak cik...thambi...all of us is a gud actor..really???..u answer it...dun ask why god create the OKU...why god create whatever he want..coz he is almighty...so...is god create the black skin human that origin from china?...of coz no..coz black skin is origin from..normally..african country..and also did the white skin origin from africa?...no it should be from china, europe etc. er...er...er...accept what u r...coz i really belive that if indian people migrate to china...surely he/she will be not to treat like this..as what r shouting now...also malay if they migrate to india/china too...just think about it...as said by PAK YEH...
-
20-10-2011 | Yeoh Chee Weng - The Silent Majority - 3 wise monkeys
Thank you, for a very well-written and interesting piece. I agree on most points.
Pak Sako>>‘Moderate Malaysia’ and ‘moderate Islam’ are as good as dead.
Moderate Malays and non-Malays played the role of the 3 wise monkeys - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil for so long that the more extremists among them have dominated politics and religion .
However, the non-Malays have realised, too late, that they are now unwelcomed in the only country that they have acknowledged as home for three/four generations unless they acknowledged the supremacy of Malay customs, Islam, Malay rights, the Malay aristocracy and bureaucrats.
As for the majority of the Malays after 50 years of political dominancy the level of thinking is still like the "katak di bawah tempurung" and they are very grateful to their leaders for lowering every standards of education because otherwise they would be deprived of an education.
The political leaders, their rich business cronies and the aristocrats ensure that their children do not study in local public schools. Finally, when their children return (if they do return) continue to play the role of the 3 wise monkeys.
I do hope that Pak Sako is really a Malay because my faith in the future of Malaysia has been lifted, at least a little bit for now.
-
13-10-2011 | Hang Kasturi - Exellent!
Pak Sako, I'm not sure if you are a Malay muslim but I would like to thank you for the excellent writing. All Malaysian should adapt the above and appreciate them.
Thank you.
-
13-10-2011 | Kelantanese Boy - taking a boy out of the village - is that a soluti
If we subscribe to Pak Sako's description and charaterization of Malays in Malaysia, perhaps, we should survey those Malays who chose to immigrate elsewhere and find out about their worldviews, attitudes, drives, measure of success, etc., etc., The concept of taking a boy out of the village helps explain that we are the product of our environment. I am being one of those, relatively successful careerwise than the average populations of the country where I am now AND more importantly, I think I fit into what Pak Sako aspires the Malays to be.I thought the idea and schema as outlined by Pak Sako was spots on. I worry about the futures of my nieces and nephews in my kampong knowing how much Malaysia as a nation is becoming more Malay and Islamic-centric.
-
12-10-2011 | awangkassim - Tak Kisah
Pak Yeh is out of line...he is a true Malay, outright Malay. Malay never challenge what is tradition, we are pak turut and we believe legends and myths drive us to accept the real world. We are doomed by our 'tak kisah' attiude.
Salam...
-
12-10-2011 | morpheusRozz
tok yeh
it's people like u who shud read reread the article. it's the likes of you that reduce the malays to the sorry state they're in all these years. and finally
the fact that this remark comes from a fellow Melayu...i guess a minority like me wont make a sizable dent or anything revolutionary. but i can still guide my son not to end up like you
-
12-10-2011 | CSCHAN - freeing the malays and muslims........
I am pessimistic. Like a patient with third stage cancer, Malaysia will have no chance to recover and will soon die. The writer has writen a very meaningful and good intentioned piece, but I feel that the effect on the listeners will be like casting pearls before swine. Malaysians will have to learn through the hard way. Malaysia has to get worst before it can become better.
-
12-10-2011 | ismail - Narrow analysis
On the surface, it may seem that the author has some valid points. But if he is cognizant enough, he will discover that it is not a Malay or Muslim condition that is at issue. The essential issue is with the nature of humans itself. I can bring up dozens of arguments that are against certain traits of the non-malays or non-muslims in this country with regard to their attitudes towards the Malays and Muslims. So again, the egotistical nature of all humans is the problem. Based on my life's experience living in Malaysia, the ones who complain are, more often than not, worse off. I don't look at the colour of one's skin or religious inclinations, I look at his/her humanistic side. And I am a Malay and a Muslim, although my interpretation of Islam is very universal. So don't be barking at the wrong tree.
-
12-10-2011 | Ida - Good piece
A lot of blind faith going around as people are shunned to be critical minded.Sometimes a lot of good knowledge wasted on how to be even more inward.It is very suffocating.
-
12-10-2011 | Pak Yeh - Freeing the Malays and Muslims from religious mind
Sheesh. The fact that this guy writes in English is a sign of Supremasist too.!!!
As a Malaysian he should talk and write Malay and agree with Malay rights over others.!!!
Malay rights are Malaysian customs.!!!
If in Rome be like Romans.If in England be like English.!!! So, if in Malaysia ,be like Malays.!!!..or else go back to Cina,India,or where ever you came from.!!!
Supremacist is practiced by Americans over Red Indians,Australians over Aborigins, British over non British.
But Malays are not Supremacist.!!! They are just trying not to be colonized and enslaved by non Malay Supremacist.!!!
-
12-10-2011 | promotheus - re:Jonathan Fool, Mr
Have you read the Bible? Far from 'all scriptures are from the same God', Christianity and Islam have nothing in common. Their precepts are at odds with each other.
-
23-09-2011 | S.Thayaparan Commander (Rtd) R
View image Please read "In the shadow of the prophet" by Milton Viorst.
-
21-09-2011 | nonsided - is it?
yes fairplay,
you are really fair!!
"pas can be so liberal-minded towards other races/religions"????
yes. hipocrite as pas can be. pas hides their women, force them to cover themselves all over & make sure their women support their men without questions!!! nice & easy done...
"umno muslims are hardcore bullies towards other races/religions"
yes. no wonder all the churches, temples and other religious worshiping places are always been raided & closed down now! umno muslims really are bullies!! umno Muslims don't celebrate Muslims celebrations with other races anymore. yes, they are very2 cruel 'tuan'!!
come on man! get a life else where!!
-
19-09-2011 | Ghaf
The topic of your write up should begin with these questions , could the ethnics Malaysian and their religions free from chauvinism ? . Or to have an open mind would make you free ?
If Pak Sako , Ishak Haji Muhammad is still alive , he might not posted up the title as you did . He might find a common ground to argue his topic for the betterment of nation building from the diversified ethnics to the Malaysian dream of living together in peace and harmony conducive to progress and integrity .
-
19-09-2011 | JS Yeap - non-flaccid
J. van Huisen: Try pamphleteering as a first step. Write simply (in Malay) so that even a Form5-educated person can understand, taking pains to explain your views on the particular issue, refraining from talking down or hectoring, connecting the issue with clearly stated principles, concluding with a call to the reader to take small, practical steps in his or her daily life, steps that may well lead to mindset changes.It's been done before, by individuals and organisations. The late Prof Alatas for years wrote and self published such pamphlets. I still have one of his, Siapa Yang Salah? a rebuttal of Mahathir's Malay Dilemma. Partai Rakyat used to bring out their Mimbar Sosialis more or less regularly. Parti Sosialis Malaysia has a range of publications, all meant for mass education and community organising to put pressure on public authorities and private interests.
The ways and means to try bring about popular mindset changes -- to educate and mobilise people for progressive social change -- are not arcane secrets. Saul Alinsky, Frances Fox Piven - even Lenin, believe it or not -- have written lucidly, in practical terms, about it. But it takes hard work and commitment.
-
18-09-2011 | James Van Huizen - re: Yes, but ...
JS Yeap: Could you provide us with just one proposal that is better? We readers await with bated breath to hear a 'non-flaccid' proposal from your brilliant mind.
-
17-09-2011 | JS Yeap - Yes, but ...
A trenchant restatement, as far as it goes, of the old problem of the 'Malay mind' that recalls Munshi Abdullah and Syed Hussein Alatas - or Rustam Sani (http://aliran.com/372.html?pfstyle=wp). Or indeed of Lu Hsun's description of 'Ah Q'.
Alas, the 'proposals' to address it are flaccid.
-
14-09-2011 | Adam - Hats Off.
A most enlightening article written especially for Malaysia Day. May all Malaysians under whatever category, adopt the proposal by Pak Sako. Hats off to you, Pak.
Happy Malaysia Day!
-
14-09-2011 | Syed Khalil - great write-up
If all of us Malaysians would sincerely adopt the mindset and practice the ideas above; the world would be a much better place.
-
13-09-2011 | Serious Shepherd - It was reversed back then
It used to be the other way round.
Women wearing veils are frowned upon, and given nicknames such as 'hantu kum-kum' (Pacman ghost?) and 'khemah bergerak' (moving tent). Hajjah Wan Chik got transferred from TV newscaster to radio news reader for wearing headscarf.
Then the Islamic Resurgence came, which is an event characterized by Huntington as an event 'as important as Reformation in Christianity'. And the tables have been turned ever since.
-
13-09-2011 | Samuel Goh Kim Eng - NO STEREOTYPING PLEASE - 130911
Let there be no religious stereotyping
Bringing about narrow mind setting
Causing unnecessary political bondaging
With social structures suffering serious damaging(C) Samuel Goh Kim Eng
http://motivationinmotion.blogspot.com
Tue.13th Sept.2011.
-
13-09-2011 | Greg Lopez - Spot on
This is a succinct analysis of what is wrong with Malaysia.
It is my fervent hope that this article be translated into Malay and distributed widely.
This country will not and cannot move forward until the Malays, who wield disproportionate political power take responsibility of what ails their community - as the author has correctly identified.
-
12-09-2011 | Jonathan Foo - Mr.
Your article made an interesting read. It is a very good attempt to find the much needed breakthrough to free the Muslims and Malay in particular from "religious mind control" as you have put it and very rightly too.
Since it also involved the mind, it therefore would make practical sense for one to first, have a proper understanding on the working of our Human Mind which every human possesses regardless of one's race & religion.
With that awareness, try to re-examine the meanings of the verses as contained in The Koran and for that matter, also, all the other Scriptures of the World.
You will surely be surprised that The Koran as well as ALL other Scriptures which are from the same One & Only God Almighty, are rather cryptic and couched in allegory.
To a very great extend, the unfortunate misinterpretation of all Scriptures ( all religions ) have resulted in wrong understanding and therefore wrong practices.It is most severe with the muslims only mainly because they have legalised Islam with authoritative power. What has resulted is a common mindset.
Due to space constraint, i am of the opinion that if one has a right understanding with the right practice, one would be able to carry oneself well enough to lead a life that is wholly in accordance with the Will of God Almighty which of course is ALLAH as stated in The Koran.
-
12-09-2011 | Richard Teo - I Salute You. Pak Sako
If I can I will vote you as our next P.M. we need people like you with vision and compassion. If only the silent majority that makes up mostly people like you, take the bull by their horns and speak out loud and clear. Then this nation of ours would be a good place to live.
Regards,
Richard
-
12-09-2011 | Fair Play
Dear CPI, how I wish all our politicians esp.those perkasa/umno warlords think like you and make us ALL inclusively proud Malaysians.Only then will our country rise again.I really don't get it - how come those "hardcore muslims" in pas can be so liberal-minded towards other races/religions while seemingly "liberal-minded" umno muslims are hardcore bullies towards other races/religions.When will this time-wasting ketuanan divide-rule rhetorics end so that we can all start all over again to build the country?Very unfortunately,in malaysia those warlords are untouchables (sigh).
-
12-09-2011 | Nicola - A good start
Thank you for writing this. As we work together we will create a society that is truly just and cohesive. If our leaders don't work with us to do that then it will be difficult, but we can at least start with ourselves.
-
12-09-2011 | Firdouse - good write up
thank you for the good write up, it is a sad scenario whereby in this country, Malay is considered synonymious with Islam, just to share an experience I had when I was a school boy. I am by the way a muslim with a mix parentage( Malay and Indian), so my constitution is not of that typical Malay look. Anyway, I was branded as no Muslim and keeling just because I didn't have the Malay look, I was so petrified that I was ashamed of my looks!, thank god I have wonderful parents who thought me the real Islam, that Islam is for all, and not exclusive for certain race, sadly same scenario is still palpable in current situation, I hope real Islamic scholars and muslimwhose heart set in championing the the true Islam will step forward to clear the misperception not only among non Muslim but Muslim in Malaysia
Announcement
History series
Connect
Latest Articles
- Stop the racist politics of suspicion and hate in the country
- The 2013 election results: back to the drawing board for both coalitions
- Spewing a poisonous brew on the Chinese ‘Lack of Multiracial Spirit'
- Vote for a revolutionary kind of development
- Perlunya lebih ramai calon-calon wanita dalam PRU
- BN’s triple cocktail of Race, Hudud and Fear is not working
- Fiscal risks to Malaysia's polls
- Opposition will clinch popular vote in GE13
- Kenyataan akhbar oleh kumpulan warga prihatin tentang pilihan raya umum
- Vote to ensure a better Malaysia
- On Malaysia's debts and 'growth at all cost'
- Why Malays should no longer vote for UMNO/BN
- Lantai senget di medan pilihanraya
- PSM decision: Hopeful prelude to opposition avoiding three corner fights
- Hanya 10 peratus kerusi parlimen Malaysia dipegang oleh wanita
- Stealing the elections: Act One
- BN dan PR: Nyatakan langkah-langkah untuk memperbaiki kewangan dan hutang negara
- Hindraf blueprint – the micro view that masks the bigger problem
- Academics call upon Barisan and Pakatan to declare policy positions on national finance and debt
- Sampai bilakah bantuan jenama 1Malaysia akan diberi?
- Sin City – “the jurisdiction of choice by people like us”
- Keeping faith with Hindraf and Waytha Moorthy
- Malaysia's debt: the misleading debt-to-GDP ratio
- Strategic abstention as purposeful option in the coming GE
- Our meeting with the Prime Minister
- Malaysia has an evil side that bears watching
- Govt role in managing social system of multi-ethnic, multicultural society
- Is Malaysia’s electoral system ready for GE13
- Will other communities also start making similar demands?
- Hindraf critics are demonizing the victims
When it's the fascist capitalist BN which have ravaged the country and our lives that should be kicked out, why "Malays" and why "Islam"?
When all of Malaysia's ills stem from the type of gomen we have now Why Malays and Why Islam?
If everybody is busy looking the other way who'll point to the BN gomen?
What's worst, the BN gomen is made up of Malays, Chinese, Indians, Dayaks and Kadazans and maybe some hobbits and they are Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists and atheists and 4-D worshippers!