DAP’s actions in really denying the fact that this is an Islamic country is enough to prove their anti-Islam/Malay mindset which has been running through their veins. No other non-Malay parties in Malaysia has ever turn this country’s administration concept, either secular or Islamic, into a huge issue but DAP.
DAP’s argument was based on a verbal statement made by Allahyarham Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia who said that Malaysia is a Secular Country instead of an Islamic country. This was proven through a report from The Star on February 9, 1983, during the former Prime Minister’s 80th birthday, which state “Do not turn Malaysia into an Islamic Country.”
According to Kit Siang, on February 13 the same year, former third Prime Minister, Tun Hussein Onn then stated that he supports Tunku’s stand who rejected Islamic country.
If the verbal statement made by the first Prime Minister is taken as an official and base to determine the country’s administration concept, then Kit Siang should also consider verbal statements made by other former Malaysian Prime Ministers who instead announced Malaysia as an Islamic Country.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister announced Malaysia as an Islamic Country on September 29, 2001 as he launched the National Conference of Perwakilan Representatives. He strictly stated,”UMNO would like to clearly state that Malaysia is an Islamic Country.”
The same thing goes to the fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who also announced Malaysia as an Islamic country on July 17, 2007.
When he was the Deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak also stated that “Islam is the official religion and Malaysia is an Islamic Country,” during an International Conference on Islamic Countries’ Role In Globalization.
And now, having Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as Prime Minister, Malaysia continues to gain acknowledgement not just as an Islamic Country, it is also an exemplary Islamic Country and confirmed by international acclaimed Ulama including Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. In his acknowledgment letter for Malaysia’s contribution towards Islamic Countries around the world, he stated,”What is more important is that Malaysia is acknowledged as few of Islamic Countries which has an amazing development strategy and open, which currently became the center for reference and an example for the world of Islam.”
Taking into consideration for all of the verbal statements, declaration and written letters on whether Malaysia is either a Secular or Islamic country, we could find that two former Prime Ministers stated that Malaysia is a Secular country, and another two former Prime Ministers including our current Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak have announced Malaysia as an Islamic Country.
That is why there should be no reason for Kit Siang to quote our former Prime Minister’s stated, Tunku Abdul Rahman to go against other former Prime Ministers.
In another angle, Kit Siang should not have held onto the former PMs statement alone. Instead, he should have seen this matter as a whole, in terms of the constitution and the social ;landscape of the society in this country.
A few Ulama stated that an Islamic country is defined as a place which is ruled by a Muslim and the sign would be when all Muslims live peacefully at the place and its society could follow all of its teachings without having any fear or worry, and that the laws are also implemented towards the kafir, while bid’ah members do not rule in pressuring the Sunnah members.
According to Hassan al-Banna, an Islamic government is a government where all of its leaders follow Islamic teachings, do not commit vice and they are the ones who practice all rules in Islamic teachings within themselves.
In a way, an Islamic Country is formed on the policy and intention which does not break Islamic rules. Instead, Secular Country is formed based on power where it practices end justifies the means.
It is clear that based on the facts above, Malaysia is indeed an Islamic country, and for Kit Siang to deny it by just using a single excuse, Tunku Abdul Rahman’s statement, is simply irrelevant.
Kit Siang’s intention in raising this matter is not that hard to be read. He actually wants to break up Muslims by raising doubt upon Islamic governance.
But, at the same time, he also in a way confirmed DAP’s mission where the party fights for a Secular Country and with PAS to cooperating with them, shows that Muslims in PAS do fight for the same objective. Logic dictates that PAS should provide a swift response, whether they support the statement or they would simply play the political game by criticizing DAP for their fight for a Secular Country.
If PAS really fights for Islam and they do not hold on to the principal of end justifies the means, Kit Siang’s statement should be the end of their cooperation with DAP to avoid themselves from being an accomplice in fighting for a Secular Country.
