Khalid, executive director of the Institute of Policy Research, said “liberalists” must speak up against decisions and issues brought up and implemented by Islamists.
He said there had been a sense of revivalism in Islam since the 1980s. In the beginning, it was seen as a positive contribution to society, with Muslims returning to their roots.
“There were concerns about morality, ethics and religious hollowness, with many feeling education had failed to address the needs of religion. People in the 1980s felt they had got independence and Malaysia was already developing well, but that we were not keeping up with the needs of the religion. These feelings were not isolated to Malaysia, but felt the world over,” he told FMT.
However, he said the need to get in touch with the religion went in the other direction, heading towards extremism, which liberals and nationalists failed to discern. “From the start, they have been devoid of intellectual engagement.”
Khalid said liberalism had been in Malaysia’s DNA since independence, but the education system failed to counter Islamist thinking on freedom of expression, responsibility, rule of law and the Federal Constitution.
“The education system and leaders have not been able to address the issue sufficiently. There has been no contest of the ideas by the liberals.”
He said Muslims must understand there is no contradiction between Islam and liberalism because religion is not only about the wellbeing of this life and the hereafter.
“We are also talking about running the country. Countries which practise liberalism have prospered. People are less oppressed there.” He said liberals should be able to extol the success stories of countries such as those in Europe and America.
He said if these countries were not considered to be ideal places to live in, then liberals should ask Islamists why Muslims were moving to these countries and not to predominantly-Muslim countries.
“They realise some have tried to implement the vision of an Islamic state, like in Pakistan and Iran, but they see things are not getting any better, but are actually getting worse.
“There is no freedom of expression. They are not getting the type of economic and social development they want.”
Khalid said a lot of Muslims would prefer to stay in Western countries rather than in the Middle East.
“They know there are opportunities for a better life. They go to these so-called Godless countries as their choice for a new life for a better life, freedom of expression and equal rights.”
Khalid urged liberalists in the country not to give up and continue to persuade others on the reasons to practise liberalism. “The voice of Islamists in the country has been loud for too long. Liberalists have to speak up. They also have to be prompt with their arguments.”
He said their discourse has to be rooted in the realities of the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara, which are the “glue” to unity and prosperity in the country.
He said liberalism was not about a neo-liberal idea that the country was being taken over by Western culture. It was more about moving the country in the right direction, of having better governance and freedom of expression.
“I don’t see the contradiction. Liberalism is a freedom within the law. Liberalists have to convince others through common sense, hold their ground with conviction of the truth.”
He said liberalists would know how to counter any negative comments, including those that poked fun at Islam, as in the case of controversial blogger Alvin Tan.
“If someone has offended your religion, you should be able to have a discourse with them. That way would give strength to your religion, not weaken it. As long as the person does not break any law, people should be allowed to have freedom of expression.”
He said the controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, who had angered a lot of Indians, was instead given protection by India’s police because the Constitution is held supreme in India and is followed thoroughly.”
Khalid hoped liberals would also speak up against the proposed Private Member’s Bill proposed by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to enhance powers of the shariah courts. Many believe that the bill, to be debated in Parliament this month, will allow the PAS-run state government in Kelantan to implement hudud criminal penalties.
“I think PAS has every right as a political party to advocate whatever it wants. But people who disagree must come forward to argue. Muslims who do not agree must come forward to let others know that hudud is not the priority in this country,” said Khalid. “They should be focusing on good governance of the country.”