Religion and Politics in Malaysia and Singapore1. Brief Introduction 1. Brief Introduction to Religion and Politics in Malaysia and Singapore Malays form 50.4% of Malaysia’s just nearly 29 million people (July 2011 est). Chinese comprise 23.7%, indigenous 11%, and Indians 7.1%. The country has a population growth rate of 1.6%. Malaysian had a 2010 HDI ranking of #57 and a 2010 CPI ranking of 4.4. The country is roughly 60% Muslim, 20% Buddhist, 10% Christian, and 6% Hindu, with minorities of Daoists and Sikhs (2000 census). Shamanism is also found in East Malaysia. Malaysia has gowing global significance because of the possibility of increased democratization in a predominantly Muslim, middle-level HDI country. In November 2003 Mahathir Mohammad, 77, left office after 22 years of authoritarian rule, during which he maintained stability and developed the economy. Mahathir became a long-term critic of the U.S., but built his economy on strategic alliances with multinationals from computer and other technological industries. He defied the I.M.F. at the time of Asian Flu, and this stance helped his country. Mahathir’s least attractive moment came in the 1998 prosecution of his former successor and Islamic intellectual Anwar Ibrahim for alleged corruption and sodomy. The Malaysian high court eventually freed Ibrahim. Prime ministers have come from the United Malay National Organization (UMNO) since independence from Britain. Mahathir’s successor was Abdullah Badawi, who combined an Islamic family background with support for a modern economy. His grandfather and father were Islamic leaders, and Abdullah graduated with a degree in Islamic studies. With Abdullah in charge, the National Front (BN), led by the United Malay National Organization (UMNO), returned to its accustomed dominance, after some protest votes against Mahathir and for the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) in 1999, when that party took over two of the thirteen state governments. Ethnic relations remain sensitive, with the UMNO continuing affirmative action programs for Malays. Social and religious issues can also raise tensions, however, as in the conversion and marriage case of Lina Joy and Indian protests below. In the March 2008 election, the National Front failed to get two-thirds of the seats (140/222) for the first time since 1969. The three leading opposition parties were the PAS (23 seats), the Chinese-led Democratic Action Party (DAP) (28 seats), and Anwar Ibrahim's People's Justice Party (PKR) (31 seats). The opposition also won five state governments. In April 2009 Najib Razak took over as prime minister and diluted some of the affirmative action programs in June (see below). Ibrahim has again been charged with sodomy. Singapore came into being in 1965 over Chinese-Malay conflict that spilled over from the peninsula. The 2000 Census listed Singapore as 42.5% Buddhist, 14.9% Muslim, 8.5% Taoist, 4% Hindu, 4.8% Catholic, 9.8% other Christians, .7% other, and 14.8% none. Ethnically, the population is 76.8% Chinese, 13.9% Malay, and 7.9% Indian. The total Singapore population is estimated (July 2011) at just over 4.7 million, with a population growth rate of .82%. Singapore had a 2010 HDI ranking of #27 and a very high 2010 CPI ranking of 9.3. Since the beginning of Singapore as a nation, Lee Kuan Yew and the People’s Action Party (PAP) have structured an authoritative and disciplined state, which does not brook effective opposition parties. The PAP currently holds 82 of the 84 seats in parliament, and has pioneered the use of defamation suits to keep their opponents in check. The World Bank's 2006 WGI gives Singapore high ratings on five of the six governance indicators, but only the 25-50th percentile on "Voice and Accountability." Malaysia receives a similar high rating on "Government Effectiveness," the 50-75th percentile on four other indicators, and similar 25-50th percentile on "Voice and Accountability." Hanson (2006), pp. 252-59, discusses “The Politics of Islam as a World Civilization." 2. A Short Introductory Course to Religion and Politics in Malaysia Read Esposito and Voll on Ibrahim and then the recent news articles on Malaysia. Griswold provides a fine summary of the current state of religion and politics in Malaysia in her chapter. “Anwar Ibrahim: Activist Moderate,” in Esposito, John L., and Voll, John O. Makers of Contemporary Islam (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001), 198-216. Griswold, Eliza. The Tenth Parallel: Dispatches From the Fault Line Between Christianity and Islam (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2010), pp. 215-42. 3. Other Resource Materials: See January-Febrauary Asian Survey for annual summaries of politics in Malaysia and Singapore. 4. Recent News Articles (a.Malaysia; b.Singapore): a. Malaysia “Ethnic Chinese parties seek clout in Malaysia,” San Jose Mercury News, August 20, 2005. Complaints that the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) has not protested proposed strengthening of affirmative action for Malays. The MCA is the second largest party in the National Front coalition, dominated by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), led by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. “Within Islam’s Embrace, a Voice for Malaysia’s Women,” New York Times, February 19, 2006. Ms. Zainah Anwar’s battle for women’s rights in Malaysia. She is a graduate of Fletcher School of Diplomacy and friend to the daughters of Mahathir and Abdullah. “Once Muslim, Now Christian and Caught in the Courts,” New York Times, August 24, 2006. Lina Joy converted to Catholicism eight years ago and wants to marry her Catholic fiancé. She applied to civil courts, but they ruled against her. Shariah courts claim jurisdiction, which would mean she would be detained as an “apostate.” Her Muslim lawyer before highest Court of Appeals, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, has received death threats by email. "A Growing Source of Fear for Migrants in Malaysia," New York Times, December 10, 2007. Report on nearly 500,000, mostly untrained, members of Rela (People's Volunteer Corps), founded to combat Communists, but since 2005 focused on illegal immigrants. Most of Malaysia's estimated three-million migrant workers (about one half illegal) come from Indonesia, with others from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Malaysia has not signed the U.N. refugee convention. "Indian Discontent Fuels Malaysia's Rising Tensions," New York Times, February 10, 2008. The British brought in Indians, who make up less then ten percent of the country's population, as laborers, and they have largely lost out in the battle for power, prestige, and religious support. This will affect coming election. "On Election Eve, Hazy Prospects for Malaysia Premier," New York Times, March 7, 2008. Economic problems, so government calls early elections. Abdullah seen as too listless in the face of economy, crime, and corruption. National Front will retain rule as it has since 1957, but it may lose seats. It did. See above. "Leader of Opposition Wins Seat in Malaysia," New York Times, August 27, 2008. Anwar Ibrahim wins by-election seat to parliament, promises to bring together a new parliamentary majority (needs 30 more seats). His platform calls for attacking corruption, scaling back most draconian laws, and end of Malay privileges. "Malaysian Seeks End To Decades Of Firm Rule," New York Times, September 14, 2008. Past and future plans by Anwar Ibrahim to siphon off enough parliamentary members to defeat the UMNO. Last election results, plus major issues: a) Malay privileges; and b) Islamic law. "Scandals Cloud Succession In Newly Unsure Malaysia," New York Times, March 24, 2009. Anwar Ibrahim charged again with sodomy, and likely future UMNO prime minister Najib Razak with coverup of murder by his adviser and corruption. "Malaysian democracy hasn't fully matured, in the sense that those who lost the elections are unwilling to accept the results," Ibrahim Suffian, director of independent polling agency. Chinese and Indians oppose Malay privileges. "Malaysia Dilutes Long-Held Ethnic Policy, Shifting Business and a Social Contract," New York Times, July 1, 2009. New prime minister Najib dilutes Malay privileges, e.g., thirty-percent rule for government contracts and stock market allocations. Other indigenous groups (bumiputra [sons of soil]) also have some political and economic privileges like discounts on housing. Chinese and Indian voters unhappy and supported opposition, led by Anwar, in March 2008, so "it is a balancing act" to please both these groups and majority Malays. "Churches Attacked Amid Furor In Malaysia," New York Times, January 11, 2010. Seven Christian churches attacked as protest against Dec. 31 Supreme Court ruling that Christians may use the word Allah for God in their services and publications. Though such use is common in some countries, the issue has become politicized in the wake of the March 2008 election that weakened the UMNO. Several commentators pointed to the greater use of racial and religious language in Malaysian politics. "On This Reality Show, Islam Is the Biggest Star," New York Times, July 29, 2010. Popular Malaysian reality show to pick model "young imam." Winner gets cash, new car, and job offer as imam, scholarship in Saudi Arabia, and trip to Mecca. Contestants prepare body for burial, counsel teens, recite Koran, etc. "In Malaysia, Shiites Struggle to Practice Their Faith," New York Times, March 24, 2011. Problems of Shiites in this Sunni country. b. Singapore “Change Unlikely as Singapore Votes, but the Young Chafe,” New York Times, May 6, 2006. Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew faces young critics on TV prior to election. His People’s Action Party (PAP) won 82 of 84 seats. The opposition Workers’ Party of Singapore and Singapore Democratic Alliance won one each. August 10, 2011. |
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