Sunday, February 01, 2009

Response

I would like to take time off from my busy schedule these days to reply to a comment by Satish. Thank you for reading my blog and your comments HERE are appreciated.

Let me assure you I am not an idiot and will not take everything in Wikipedia as my source. In fact, I have a copy of the official Constitution of Malaysia in my computer.

I linked my reference of the Constitution to the version in Wikipedia - which is the same as the official Constitution - because of the speed and convenience for access via the Internet.

The PDF versions will take longer to load.

Anyway, the Constitution recognizes Islam as the official religion and respects freedom of religion of other faiths.

The acknowledgement of Islam as the official religion is a declaration that our country is indeed an Islamic nation.

Being an active member of OIC and other Islamic forums or conferences further underline our status.

I am sure DAP is a confused party with their leaders constantly making contradictory remarks. I thank you for showing me the DAP link that explains Malaysia as a secular state.
Perhaps you have not read the latest news. DAP leaders, especially the one at the top most, agreed in principle and paper that Malaysia's Constitution and status of Islam as the official religion should be upheld.

If DAP leaders do not agree with Malaysia's status as an Islamic nation, perhaps they should pull out of Pakatan Rakyat.

The people should ask the well praised and loved Democratic Action Party about their stand. I am sure DAP's stand is not aligned with those from PKR and PAS.

BigDogDotCom described Pakatan Rakyat as an alliance of "marriage of convenience". I can't agree more.

Sincerely,
Wei Liang Goh
A PIECE OF MY MIND

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Err.. just my opinion, but how does Islam being the official religion makes Malaysia an Islamic State?

One thing I know is that one should never mix religion with government. The consequence of that usually ends up with ban on makeup, high heels, tomboys and yoga, not to mention legislated official dress code and separate lines for payment at the supermarket.

The least one can do to say that Malaysia is an Islamic state is to remove the common law and any other "western laws" and make Islamic laws fully applicable to everyone. For example would be the ISA, if Malaysia is now an Islamic state, are you implying that Islam allows detention without trial? Anyway, If that would to be achieved, in form, Malaysia would be seen as an Islamic state.

But in substance, Malaysia would never be an Islamic state. Why? Simple, is it possible to totally weed out corruption? Can all Chinese be forced never to eat pork in Malaysia? It is important that we focus on substance, not the form. I mean, what is the point of calling oneself the richest nation in the world when there are still people in that country suffering from starvation and living as hardcore poor?

Anyway my last point would be to ask you to spare some time to get some reading on what constitute a "state" and "sovereign", not just on the legal stand point, but politically as well as philosophically. I can't really say I am qualify as one to explain properly what they are. Then you decide for yourself whether Malaysia is an Islamic "state".

Ahmad Amzar said...

cY,I personally think you are lack of understanding regarding the religion itself. Before I carry on with my comment,may I know,are you a Muslim or a non-Muslim? I can sense that you're a non-Muslim,based on your arguments.

Islam is a religion which has its own set of laws,based on the Holy Quran and also the Hadith(Prophet Muhammad's preachings). The Holy Quran and the Hadith touches on almost each and every aspect of our lives,be it from how a life is created at the womb to the characteristic of a good and most importantly,a faithful leader.

It's the duty of the religious scholar,or ulama,to interpret the Holy Quran and the Hadith and explain their meanings to the other people. Therefore,whenever there's a fatwa issued by them,it's not that they simply do it for fun or for the sake of one particular group's interest.

They do it based their knowledge of the religion and they are well aware that,they are answerable to God. To us the Muslims,the true(not political) ulama's standing in the society is very high,as it is said that "Ulama adalah pewaris Nabi".

I'm somehow suprised to see that some of the non-Muslims in this country,are the ones who passionately criticise the ulama's decision,like the recent ban on tomboy. What's the fuss about it? The fatwa isn't applied to you anyway,so why would you be bothered about it? Don't you have any respect to other religion?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufgJWGmax-A&eurl=http://i-am-amzar.blog.friendster.com/&feature=player_embedded

Who said that if there's a Muslim government,the non-Muslims can't carry on with their daily routines like drinking beer,eating pork and gambling?

As for corruption and other social ills like sex without wedlock,Muslims drinking alcohol and gambling etc,these are all heavy sins according to Islam,and there are punishments(in this world) for those who are caught committing these acts,based on the Syariah Law. AGAIN,I would like to stress that this law is ONLY APPLIED to the Muslims. The non-Muslims can use the conventional law if they want to,since there's no need for them use the syariah law.

Of course,even if Malaysia becomes a fully Islamic state,there's no guarantee that all crimes will disappear. In fact,even during the times of the Holy Prophet,these crimes did occur,and those caught doing them will be put on trial. For those who managed to escape,they may escape in this world,but definitely not in the hereafter. It's as simple as that.

Here's a Surah called Al-Kafirun,or "The Disbelivers". Kindly read and try to understand it's message.

Al-Kafiroon
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Say: O disbelievers! (1) I worship not that which ye worship; (2) Nor worship ye that which I worship. (3) And I shall not worship that which ye worship. (4) Nor will ye worship that which I worship. (5) Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion. (6)

p.s.even the disbelievers are divided into 2 types,Zimmi and Harbi. It's the latter that the Muslims are told to be aware of and fight against them whenever it's necessary

p.s.2.I'm not a religious scholar by the way,just an engineering student

Satish said...

hmm..Islamic nation & Islamic state,..are they the same ? I don't think so.

Haiz, whether we're a secular or Islamic state, it makes no big difference to me.

On DAP, well, Karpal can't control his words sometimes.

If DAP pulls out of PR, PR will fall.

Goh Wei Liang said...

satish, islamic nation and islamic state is the same. state here does not mean negeri.

countries are sometimes referred as 'state'. Head of State.

u need to do more reading, otherwise you will begin to assume you know many things which might not be right.

living on false assumptions is dangerous.

if u ask me, i would say karpal is not powerful in dap.

lim kit siang. he signs documents on behalf of dap with other coalition partners in Pakatan Rakyat.

they all defend the constitution especially the article on Islam.

well, do read more. and you will know what i am talking about.

thanks for the comments, once again.

Satish said...

Of course, Lim is parliamentary leader in DAP. Of course he signs documents. Karpal is national chairman. Don't you think he signs documents too ?

Lim is not crippled. Karpal is. Thanks to ISA. Of course Lim is more active. Both are great politicians anyway.

Not in negeri sense la. Like I thought that an Islamic nation was just a nation with a Muslim majority in population.

Whereas an Islamic state is a nation that fully practices Islamic laws such as syariah and all that with no common & western law.

That's what I thought. I maybe wrong. I looked it up but couldn't get an answer.

Goh Wei Liang said...

there is no difference btwn islamic nation and islamic state.

karpal is the chairman. but who signed the documents like the common agenda of pakatan rakyat parties?

lim kit siang.

why didn't anwar ask karpal to sign?

even the letter to the prime minister was signed by limkitsiang.

karpal is crippled below waist. his hands are still ok.

oh well. theres no point debating who is in power inside DAP.

none of my business.

Satish said...

Yeah dude. No point arguing who more powerful by arguing who signs more documents.