Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
| BN must explain rise of apostasy Posted: 18 Nov 2012 02:19 PM PST
This ongoing Nurul Izzah bashing has exposed the true weaknesses of the Barisan Nasional regime. The onus is purely on the ruling coalition to explain to the nation in general what has happened under its rule and how "100,000 Muslims" became "apostates" today. Amir Ali, FMT The recent spate of criticism against Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, on the issue of religious freedom and the comments she made on the matter are at times hilarious and otherwise "fishy". According to the mainstream media (MSM), the MP for Lembah Pantai has breached an "Islamic" principle in calling for the "freedom" of religion of Muslims who want to leave Islam. And for that, she deserved jail or a severe sentence that would cripple her political career. With this in mind, the "witch-hunters" are rubbing their hands at the prospects of hitting hard at PKR as the party that supports "apostasy", hence a party that is against Malays, Islam and peace in the country. Let's take a look at the realities in Malaysia, when it comes to murtad or "apostasy". There's no denying that there exist Malays who have left Islam and left the country altogether, thus taking the "freedom of religion" into their own hands. There is also no denying that there are attempts by some forces, be they local or foreign, to champion the case of "apostates" in Malaysia. These are prominent on the Internet and a simple search of "murtad" in Malaysia will reveal the extent of the discussions and the number of forums regarding the issue. There are also reports by high-level personalities in Malaysia that "apostasy" has reached an alarming level in the country. It is reported by some blogs such as sebaikbaikcahaya.com that there are 100,000 murtads in Malaysia and the number is rising. In the 1990s, some political figures who were in the opposition but have since climbed onto the Barisan National bandwagon indicated there were at least 5,000 cases of murtad in Malaysia. There is thus an undeniable increase in the number of Muslims who are leaving their faith. Attacking Nurul Izzah on her comments is easy for the BN and Umno. However, the responsibility as it is inscribed in Islam, rests with the people who are running the country. It is not the responsibility of the "opposition" which incidentally is also not to be blamed for the rise in murtad in Malaysia. The onus is purely on the ruling coalition to explain to the nation in general what has happened under its rule and how "100,000 Muslims" became "apostates" today. The focus on Nurul Izzah is simply another political gimmick by the BN to divert attention from Janji Di-Capati which is the slogan used by the Pakatan Rakyat to debunk Janji Ditepati. The opposition PKR and the PAS have no real reason to promote "apostasy" among Muslims. Hence, it is not possible to finger-point the opposition or its member Nurul Izzah on the matter. The constant attacks on Nurul Izzah is altogether a desperate act by a regime that has failed in its "defence" of Islam as it has claimed this as its "success story". Thus, there is no way for the "rakyat" to believe that the opposition has a "hidden agenda" in promoting murtad in the country. Nevertheless, deep within the Malay community, there are concerns that many among them who do not observe the rites and rituals of Islam are claiming to be "Bumiputeras". And these "lost folks" who are not really "Muslims" in their heart, are getting the benefits reserved for Malay-Muslims. The question many are asking is whether there should be a clear distinction between the "true, Malay-Muslims" and the "apostates" who are surviving under the disguise of being "Muslims".
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| Posted: 18 Nov 2012 10:23 AM PST
Joceline Tan, The Star The trouble is that none among the second echelon has that X-factor needed to lead the party. The current top ulama leadership dates back to the early years of PAS. They have aged and some are sickly. PAS' final muktamar before the mother of all battles ended on a note that left doubts as to whether the party is ready for prime-time politics. ABU Kassim Abdullah is the most witty man in PAS. The Kedah-born permanent chairman of PAS has the ability to make everyone, including the stern-faced Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, laugh out loud at his cheeky remarks and pantun on stage. His jokes sometimes bite and poke at PAS leaders, but he never offends. Some of the ladies in the Muslimat wing complain he makes too many jokes about men with more than one wife and big families, but they still laugh along. He is unapologetic because he has two wives and many children and grandchildren. No one can do it quite like him and PAS members say it is a God-given talent. His hair has turned grey and his goatee looks unkempt, but Abu Kassim's humourous personality was one of the few familiar things at the muktamar this year. PAS is basically on unfamiliar territory. It is part of a coalition that has never been this close to power. Yet, many in the party are unsure whether the purity of the party's Islamic agenda is being compromised. After three days of political speeches, delegates are going home with their heads filled with conflicting messages. On the one hand, they are told to downplay contentious issues like hudud law and the Islamic State as they prepare to face the general election. On the other hand, there are leaders cautioning the party not to stray from its origins as an Islamic party. One delegate even asked: "What good is winning Putrajaya if it means that we have to forego our Islamic goal?" The calls from the floor insisting that Hadi is the best candidate for prime minister is an indication that people in the party are not sure whether the Pakatan Rakyat set-up will respect the party's Islamic State principles. Deputy Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Dr Mahfodz Omar assured members that Hadi will become the prime minister if PAS wins the most seats. Just because those who spoke at the muktamar did not attack Karpal Singh for opposing hudud does not mean that people in the party are not angry with DAP. They are just as furious about DAP as they are about MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. It is quite evident that the rank and file, especially those in the rural heartland, are still uncomfortable about DAP and PKR. Much of the exuberence about the Pakatan set-up come from the leaders, especially those who will be contesting seats, or as secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali puts it, those eyeing stalls to do business in the pasar malam. Mustafa has likened the general election to a pasar malam and the candidates as traders trying to win as many customers as they could. These would-be candidates are the ones most eager for the party to foster closer ties with Pakatan. Read more at: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/11/19/nation/12338871&sec=nation
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