PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s secularism is clearly defined in the Federal Constitution and the Alliance Memorandum 1956, according to MCA. MCA, as part of the Alliance Coalition, played a crucial role in shaping the memorandum submitted to the Reid Constitutional Commission on Sept 27, 1956. The memorandum explicitly stated that ‘the religion of Malaya shall be Islam… and shall not imply that the state is not a secular state’, MCA reaffirmed in a statement on Tuesday (July 11).
MCA also emphasized the protection of Islam and the position of Malay Rulers as heads of Islam in their respective states, which are safeguarded by the Federal Constitution. The Constitution, established as the supreme law of the land under Article 4, maintains the position of Islam and the Malay Rulers, MCA highlighted.
MCA categorically asserts that Malaysia is a democratic and secular state with Islam as its official religion – a position that has remained unchanged for the past seven decades. A secular state, as explained by MCA, is one where secular laws are the source of authority for religious institutions. In Malaysia, religious authorities derive their power from secular laws enacted by the Malaysian Parliament. Islam is enshrined in Article 3 of the Federal Constitution, which serves as the secular foundation of our nation. This clear distinction sets Malaysia apart from theocratic states like Saudi Arabia, where religious laws and scriptures take precedence over the Constitution, Parliament, or the Court, MCA added.
MCA further elucidated that secularism can manifest in different ways, citing the United Kingdom as an example. Even in secular nations like the UK, religion can be integrated into their systems, evident through the presence of a state church led by the monarchy – a characteristic that aligns with Malaysia’s approach. MCA emphasized the need for political leaders to exercise greater responsibility when discussing Malaysia’s legal and constitutional nature and to avoid conflating secularism with the complete separation of state and religion. This clarification is crucial to prevent any misinterpretation that could lead to public confusion and undermine international confidence in Malaysia, MCA added.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
