Saturday September 4, 2010
Chandra Muzaffar answers your 10 questions
How would you like to be remembered? Lazare George, Bangi
As a human being devoted to God, who in his own small way struggled for justice and dignity for the weak and the oppressed and, at the same time, tried to live by the principles that he espoused.
Has the International Movement for a Just World (JUST) achieved its objectives? How do you view the current political situation in Malaysia? Louis Liong, Kuching
JUST is a small voice among a multitude of voices that have helped to raise awareness about global injustices in the last 20 years or so. We have also increased public consciousness on the importance of shared universal spiritual and moral values in evolving a just and compassionate civilisation. Our monthly bulletin, the JUST Commentary available in electronic and print form reaches thousands of people in 120 countries.
As for the second part of your question, on the positive side, there is greater public accountability today, partly because of a stronger political opposition and partly because of the alternative media. On the negative side, communal politicking has reached a new peak, as a result of the exploitation of communal fears, on the one hand, and the ventilation of communal hopes, on the other. This intensification of communalism may have catastrophic consequences for our beloved nation.
Do you think the rights of non-Muslims in Malaysia have been fairly protected, especially in matters related to conversion and custody of children? Rick DL, Sarawak
It is not a question of fairness to this or that religious community. Converting a minor – a five-year-old child – to Islam does not accord with fundamental Quranic values. Similarly, when it comes to custody, the welfare of the child is paramount in Islamic thought. In administering Islamic law, Muslims should be guided by the Quranic worldview rather than the interpretations of Muslim jurists from the past.
Which is the most challenging position you have ever held? Tabitha CC Boi, Penang
Deputy president of Parti KeADILan from 1999 to 2001. I discovered in the course of 2½ years that there was a huge gap between what the party professed and what it practised on a variety of issues. This troubled my conscience a great deal.
Is equality more difficult to uphold than justice? Bernard KH Lim, Penang
There is an intimate link between equality and justice. The equalisation of opportunities which in some ways is the essence of equality is an act of justice. Unfortunately, in multi-ethnic societies like ours there is a tendency to view equality and justice through one’s own ethnic prism. Thus, many Malays and bumiputras see overcoming their unequal socio-economic situation as the real challenge while many non-Malays and non-bumiputras are concerned about equal opportunities to acquire scholarships or places in public universities.
Similarly, justice for community X is a question of whether its own interests are protected and enhanced which may be contrary to how community Y perceives justice from its own vantage point. Sometimes, these conflicting perceptions of equality and justice give rise to inter-ethnic tensions.
It underscores the importance of going beyond ethnic perspectives on equality and justice. The influential stratum in all our communities should learn to develop a more holistic understanding of equality and justice that takes into account the interests of “the other”.
What are the principles that guide you in your capacity as social activist and reformist? Mohd Ali, KL
A deep commitment to justice and fairness, a profound appreciation of the significance of integrity in public life, and an understanding of the importance of patience and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.
How best can Malaysia resolve the “Allah” controversy and find a win-win solution? Suzannah Ayub, Raub
It is important for both sides to be honest and truthful about the underlying issues that surround the controversy. Christians and other non-Muslims in Malaysia should acknowledge the simple truth that for the last 1,400 years, the term “Allah” has been shaped by Islamic theology.
This is why in any dictionary or encyclopedia, Allah is defined as “the Islamic concept of God” or as “the Muslim term for God.” Muslims in Malaysia, on the other hand, should understand that many Arab Christians use the term within their own circles and Muslim theologians in general have never objected to this. Likewise, Muslim jurists and the Muslim masses in Indonesia have not reacted negatively to Christians in their midst using the term “Allah,” a practice which began during Dutch colonial rule. It is partly because of the influence of Indonesian Christianity that Christians in Sabah and Sarawak have been using the term for more than a hundred years. It has had no adverse effect upon inter-religious ties in the two states, which on the whole are relatively harmonious.
Not many Malaysians know that “Allah” also appears in the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. This is why it is not practical, nor is there theological justification, to prohibit non-Muslims from using the term. What one can do to protect the integrity of the term – which is the legitimate concern of the Muslims – is to prohibit its misuse in the public sphere. That would be a win-win solution.
How do you feel about the harsh criticisms that some bloggers have thrown at you because of your political affiliation? What are you going to do about it? Danny Quek, Johor
It is a shame that every time an article of mine appears in certain websites there is a torrent of vile, vicious, vituperative attacks. There is no attempt to engage with the substance of my arguments.
Malaysians should ask themselves: are these intellectually shallow, morally hollow cyber assaulters the harbingers of change that they claim to be?
On a number of occasions I have demolished their malicious allegations. When the infamous Raja Petra fabricated a scurrilous lie about me on his website in September 2004, I threatened to sue him and he quickly apologised. I obtained an apology for another baseless allegation this year from another cyber writer.
What is 1Malaysia to you? How can it be a reality? Rajdeep Singh, Seremban
1Malaysia is that collective national endeavour to strengthen unity and harmony among the diverse communities that constitute the Malaysian nation guided by the Federal Constitution, Rukunegara and Wawasan 2020. 1Malaysia involves each and every one of us. It is a mission that calls for a major transformation in individual attitudes, community sentiments and national policies – a transformation informed and inspired by a profound sense of holistic justice and fairness.
This transformation will only be possible if there is a certain degree of empathy for the ethnic or religious other – a point I emphasise in my most recent book, A Plea for Empathy. In other words, for 1Malaysia to become a reality there has to be sincerity on all sides.
Sometimes, politicians say things that make us wonder if we can trust them to run the country. What needs to change? Abu Hassan, KL
What politicians say is not as critical as what they do. We need politicians who, through their deeds, prove that they are men and women of integrity and ability. To ensure that there are more politicians of calibre in the future, Malaysian citizens should be more discerning and more mature.
They should not be duped or deceived by false promises – especially promises that have a seductive communal appeal – that can never be fulfilled. Through information and knowledge, they should develop a better understanding of the important issues and challenges that confront the nation.
