Malaysia Matters Podcast

Citing warnings that the move could fuel racial tension, The Sabah Progressive Party has scrapped plans for a no confidence vote against the prime minister. The SPP, a group who is mostly ethnic Chinese and concerned about retaining a voice in government, are part of the National Front Coalition that Prime Minister Abdull Ahmad Badawi heads. Background from MySinchew.com:

Minorities in the coalition have increasingly complained that they are losing influence and are snubbed by the dominant partner, the United Malays National Organization, which critics accuse of perpetuating discriminatory policies in religion, jobs and education.

The frustrations have raised concerns of racial instability in Malaysia, which has largely been at peace since deadly riots in 1969 fueled by Malay discontent over Chinese economic clout.

Malaysia’s top government leaders are mainly ethnic Malays, who comprise nearly two-thirds of country’s 27 million people.

Recent moves to increase national ties to Islam such as those just proposal by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad,  for an Islamic currency does little to help tension.

“Aside [sic] creating a common currency, Muslim nations should adopt a unified stance towards various international issues,” said Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Monday, in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. 

“A common currency will bring Islamic countries closer to one another,” said former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in a meeting with President Ahmadinejad on the sidelines of the 6th Summit of the Group of Eight Developing Islamic Countries. 

Now, from a western perspective, we certainly are wary of the spread of influence of Iran, a nation actively seeking the proliferation of its approved brand of fundamentalism and the issues of stability and security that follow.  

But from the perspective of the 40% non-Muslim and ethnic Chinese and Indians who make up the balance of Malaysia’s population, many of whom are already concerned over the significance of their role in steering the ship of state, a proposal that would result in an erosion of national sovereignty that simultaneously creates further state and international promotion of the majority demographic (practicing Muslims) makes credible further concern about the fate of minority representation and, ultimately, individual freedom.