IT would be a political suicide for any government in Malaysia to try to remove the status of Islam as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, said Prof Shad Saleem Faruqi.

He said it will also tear the Malaysian society apart.

“Especially when some groups are trying to raise racial and religious issues to divide society. Such attempts will be misinterpreted as an attack on Malay power and way of life,” said Shad during the question-and-answer session at the Selangor Bar’s lecture on the constitution in Shah Alam today.

He was responding to a question from the floor on what he thought of removing Article 3 from the constitution.

Article 3 states that Islam is the religion of the federation and this has often led to different interpretations on whether Malaysia is secular or an Islamic country.

Shad, however, said that the Malaysian constitution did not always have Article 3.

“In 1957, when the Reid Commission drafted the constitution, there was no Article 3. Islam was not the religion of the federation in 1957 because the Malay rulers had wanted to leave Islam at the state level.

“The sultans then were concerned if Islam went to the federal level, their power over Islam would be reduced as much of their power comes from being head of the religion of Islam.”

He said that there are many countries where there is no state religion as it is a private matter.

“In America, the reading of the bible in schools is considered unconstitutional as they are run on taxpayers’ money.

“But in Malaysia, it would be unacceptable given the history of the country and the Malays.

“The religious establishment in this country is as powerful as the CIA in America. It is a state within a state.

“It’s impossible for any government that wishes to contest the next election to attempt this. It would be political suicide,” said Shad.

Meanwhile, Shad, who has taught constitutional law in Malaysia since 1971, said that Malaysia has become more “symbolically Islamic” over the years.

He said Malaysia can hardly be an Islamic country by values as there’s no sense of public trust and is rife with corruption.

“Back ini 1971, UiTM used to have dances and students would wear skirts to class. But it’s mostly Islamic dressing now. But that doesn’t make us a more Islamic country.

“In matters of tolerance and inclusiveness, Malaysia has regressed. High respect should be shown to the prophets of Judaism and Christianity as their prophets are my prophets.

“Any Muslim who doesn’t do that is not a real Muslim as these prophets are mentioned in the Quran. The holy Quran is not the only book but the last revelation.

“But today, there are open insults for other religions and if a pavement by any chance has a cross on it, people are confused. I’m just waiting for the day that the Ilmu Hisab (mathematics) sign is banned because it could confuse some Muslims,” said Shad.  – January 25, 2019.