Stop branding me liberal if you want progress, Zaid tells Malays

Diyana Ibrahim Diyana Ibrahim Updated 6 years ago · Published on 22 Jan 2020 11:00AM · 4 Comments

Kelantan DAP chief Zaid Ibrahim is ready to change the minds of Malays in the state, while blaming PAS and Umno for holding sway using race and religion. – The Malaysian Insight pic, January 22, 2020.

MALAYS must understand the meaning of being liberal before blindly labelling their fellow Malays with derision, said newly appointed Kelantan DAP chief Zaid Ibrahim.

He told The Malaysian Insight the detractors themselves would become liberals if they truly understood the concept of it.

“For those who labelled me as a liberal Malay, I ask them, what is wrong being a liberal.

“Some of them have no clue what it is about. They just make noise because they have been indoctrinated for such a long time.

“For me, Malays must be liberal, otherwise they will not be progressive Muslims.”

He is responding to criticism for being a liberal Malay, because he regularly questions certain aspects of Islam, especially the workings of Islamic authorities in the country.

He said his critics should not spend so much time finding fault with him for being a liberal Malay instead should concentrate on daily issues.

“In a democratic country, we have differences in opinion. That, for me, is the meaning of (being) liberal.

“You have the right to decide to become part of a modern society or one constantly under sway. The choice is yours.”

He also defended himself against being called anti-Islam for his views.

“How can I become anti-Islam just because I am with DAP? Islam has existed even before DAP, even before PAS.”

He said he is hoping to change the minds of Malays, especially those in Kelantan, in this regard.

He added his task is not easy, not one that can be achieved overnight.

“I don’t have a magic wand. If the people refuse to listen to me, then I have failed.

“And I cannot work on my own to bring about this change. I am not a superhero.

“I need the support from everyone, the party, the government and everyone who loves peace. This is not a one-man job.”

He said he is aware that one of his biggest challenges is facing PAS and Umno, parties he claims to use race and religion to garner support.

He said he’s ready for this challenge, pointing to PAS-ruled Kelantan’s status as a poor state despite the party’s Islamic agenda.

“Anyone can say that they are fighting for Islam, but what do they mean?

“What does it say when Penang can collect RM121 million in zakat and you have much less than that?

“When your state remains poor and other states are rich, how can you say you are pursuing an Islamic agenda?”

He said the Kelantan folk have to change their outlook and he believes it will happen soon.

“Don’t look down on the people of Kelantan. They have great business sense… surely, they want development and changes.

“It is just that they have been indoctrinated for the past 30 to 40 years… so we will have to remove that.”

He aims to attract these people to his talks, so they understand why it is important for them to change.

“We will do this in stages.” – January 22, 2020.

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Comments

  • Many people support your thinking ... the silent majority

    Posted 6 years ago by Sin Fook Choo · Reply

  • Bravo dato. We need more people like you

    Posted 6 years ago by Dato Radha · Reply

  • In the last fifty years Islam in Malaysia has undergone many physical changes. There is an on going disagreement in the way Muslims dressed in the past compared to now. I see a lot of Arab influence in modern day Islamic outlook which saddens me because during my parents time it was not an important factor or known thing. This also closed the doors to many who have seen the beauty of Islam but are not prepared to change their skin and cultural life to become Arabs. How can the message of Islam be spread when people fear about the physical change they have to undergo? At least Sdr. Zaid Ibrahim's approach can spread the message of Islam to DAP.. .

    Posted 6 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply

  • Via Netflix we get the chance to see how Islam is practiced in Turkey, Morocco and many other developed countries. At least being moderate opens the message of Islam to discussion and circulation while being extreme shuts all doors. During the time of our parents Islam was the fastest growing religion in the world. We can't say the same today. WHY?

    Posted 6 years ago by Citizen Pencen · Reply