Don’t resort to authoritarian Islam just to protect views, says Anwar

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 7 years ago · Published on 20 Oct 2018 1:23PM · 4 Comments

PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim says Muslims not to let the challenges in an open, democratic environment drive them towards embracing authoritarianism which is dangerous. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, October 20, 2018.

MUSLIMS might feel challenged under a different government but they must reject the desire to support oppressive and draconian measures to protect their views, Anwar Ibrahim said

“Malaysia is more open and free now. If we want to maintain this freedom, there cannot be restrictions by draconian laws. 

“If there are draconian laws, it is called oppression and denial of the rights of others,” said the PKR president-elect at the 47th annual congress of Angkatan Belia Islam (Azim) at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia in Nilai today.

He said while an open democratic environment will present challenges to the Muslim community,  draconian laws would result in oppression.

“If we choose to pressure others, as advocated by some Islamists and Islamic political parties, it marks a return to the old system.

“Which is why people are fearful when the question of Islam is raised, particularly when it brings back a form of authoritarianism, which is dangerous.

“It is not democratic to pressure others (minorities),” said the Port Dickson MP, who is expected to be the next prime minister after taking over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad in about two years’ time.

Anwar, who was ABIM president from 1974 to 1982, said Muslims must also avoid neo-conservatism in a pluralistic Malaysia.

He said that was why he had always preferred to look at Islam in the context of a “pluralistic society” rather than the issue of “non-Muslims in an Islamic state”.

However, Anwar said some things in Malaysia were still unchangeable because they were set out  in the federal constitution.

For example, all Malaysians must accept Malay as the national language but this should not stop anyone from taking up other languages.

“In 2018, Malay is the national language while the Chinese language has become a regional economic language. 

“So long as the position of Malay language is upheld, the learning of other languages should not only be tolerated but encouraged.

“I would even encourage more Malays to learn Chinese as it is an important language for business. It’s not a zero sum game to defend other languages,” said Anwar. – October 20, 2018.

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Comments

  • BRAVO PAKATAN HARAPAN GOVERNMENT WE ARE WITH YOU.

    Posted 7 years ago by CHEE Meng Ng · Reply

  • Erdogan speak the same when starting but began to tighten his power base and getting more involve with the Muslim Brotherhood as a dictator in the movement. I pray that our incoming PM will be visionary to see the true practise of democratic principle.

    Posted 7 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • The word ISLAM scares the non muslims bcoz ISLAM USE PRESSURE N FORCE (PAKSA) the non muslim to follow them. Non Muslims are living in 21 st Centuary not in Stone Age

    Posted 7 years ago by Tharan Singh · Reply

    • Read more brother

      Posted 7 years ago by Muzamil Hanafiah · Reply