MALAYSIA is fast-becoming ground zero of a global 'Culture War', as conflicting visions of society struggle for dominance.
Broadly speaking, there are two main forces at work: on the one hand there is a more western-inclined, common-law based outlook.
This has been shaped by the country's strategic location at the heart of one of Asia's busiest trading routes, its rich history and the various communities that have settled here.
On the other, there is a purist approach that prioritizes Islamic traditions.
As a writer and onetime lawyer, I very clearly belong to the first category. However, there's no doubt that that the second is gathering in strength.
For many years, I've avoided much interaction with the 'other' side, if only because the different world views seem so intractable.
Still, with a sense of wanting to understand the conservative community better, I arranged to meet with a charming, newlywed Malay couple, Afiq Awang and Muna 'Adila Che Rime, both in their mid-twenties and graduates from the International Islamic University on the eastern fringes of Kuala Lumpur.
With their loose-fitting, modest attire (Muna wears a hijab that reaches down to her waist), they look like quintessentially pious Muslims.
Whilst their attire may distinguish them from other young people, they share many of the same challenges: they are struggling with the high cost of living and prohibitive property prices.
On a more personal note, I liked the way Afiq encouraged Muna, a trainee lawyer to state her views.
Indeed, as we talked, I was struck by Muna's lovely smile and her calm, authoritative manner.
Currently a chambering student, her legal education – she has studied both the Shariah and Civil legal systems – has imbued her with an enviable directness.
Afiq's (he’s a Shariah compliance officer at a pharmaceutical company) arguments are less so.
Muna is particularly impassioned about a controversial bill to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (i.e. the “RUU 355”) championed by the Islamist PAS party with the Government's tacit approval.
While it may seem arcane and irrelevant, the Bill has become a lightning rod for criticism.
Why?
Well, essentially, it seeks to enhance the sentencing powers of Malaysia’s Shariah courts.
For Malaysia's large non-Muslim population as well as the more progressive elements in the Malay community, this move is viewed as an attempt to introduce hard-line hudud law.
Unsurprisingly, Muna views things differently. For her, the two parallel legal systems are supposed to be equal.
However, it's clear that the Shariah system has lesser powers and she regards this as an injustice.
She talks about how the Shariah system was in existence “before” the arrival of the Europeans.
To Muna, the seeming subordinate status makes her feel as if “…our identity as a society that holds true to Islamic values and laws are being slowly eroded."
Afiq is particularly concerned about the failure to deal with pre-marital sex and drinking.
As he explains: "Islam is not just a private and personal relationship between man and God, but it also governs the relationships between men. There are certain acts that are sinful in Islam and I believe that adequate punishments should be meted out…Even though these acts only involve the person and God, I believe laws should be made to curb these problems.”
Inevitably, we touched on politics and how the controversy would shape the upcoming General Elections – Malaysia's 14th since Independence. Since both were PAS members, the discussion was quite heated.
As I questioned the tactical wisdom of pushing the Bill so aggressively and its potential impact on Pas' electoral fortunes, Muna interrupted me: "Pak Karim, Pas is not simply a political party. We are also a movement that seeks to change the society. There are two elements that continue alongside the politics: 'tarbiyyah' (education) and 'dakwah' (out-reach). Our aim is to create a truly Islamic society that embraces the tenets of the Quran."
She also added quite firmly: "Don't forget that most UMNO members share our views on Islam and the need to raise our respect for our faith. Their leaders are a different matter."
Determined and forthright, Muna rebutted my questions at every step, making me realize the enormity of the Culture Wars still ahead.
Whilst I remain a committed advocate of the existing common law system which I feel possesses a unique ability to balance the rights and interests of the different Malaysian communities, I fear that those tasked to deal with the Muna's and the Afiq's of today may lack the passion and drive.
Being secular and liberal has never felt so lonely.
Karim Raslan
Sun May 07 2017
![Ceritalah ASEAN: Final 'Culture Wars' Ceritalah ASEAN: Final 'Culture Wars'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-05/81494119626_CeritalahAsean.jpg)
The writer with Afiq (C) and Muna (R), graduates from the International Islamic University. -Pix by Karim Raslan
![“I love you Am, bahagialah di syurga firdausi” - Aufahanie “I love you Am, bahagialah di syurga firdausi” - Aufahanie](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723679258_AufahanieNidzaAfh.jpg)
“I love you Am, bahagialah di syurga firdausi” - Aufahanie
Air mata Aufahanie sudah kering meratapi pemergian abang tercinta, Nidza Afham yang ditemui meninggal dunia selepas dilaporkan hilang.
Konsert jelajah: Taylor Swift teruskan konsert London selepas ancaman keganasan
Taylor Swift akan meneruskan persembahan di London pada Khamis, meneruskan jelajah konsert terbesar dunia di tengah-tengah kebimbangan keselamatan susulan cubaan serangan Daesh memaksa pembatalan tarikh konsert di Vienna, minggu lalu.
Taliban rai ulang tahun ketiga pemerintahan Afghanistan
Kerajaan Taliban semalam meraikan ulang tahun ketiga pemerintahannya di Afghanistan dengan perarakan tentera yang memberi penghormatan kepada bom buatan sendiri yang digunakan ketika peperangan, pesawat pejuang dan perbarisan pasukan keselamatan.
![Bapa bintang bola sepak Sepanyol, Lamine Yamal ditikam - Laporan Bapa bintang bola sepak Sepanyol, Lamine Yamal ditikam - Laporan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723677980_MounirNasraoui.jpg)
Bapa bintang bola sepak Sepanyol, Lamine Yamal ditikam - Laporan
Mounir Nasraoui, bapa kepada Lamine Yamal, ditikam pada lewat Rabu di tempat letak kereta di bandar Mataro di timur laut Sepanyol.
Warga AS dihukum penjara 15 hari di Rusia kerana bersikap samseng
Mahkamah Moscow menjatuhkan hukuman penjara 15 hari kepada warga Amerika Syarikat Joseph Tater pada Rabu kerana bersikap samseng.
Putin anggap rundingan dengan Ukraine tidak berguna
Presiden Rusia Vladimir Putin menyifatkan, tindakan Ukraine yang menyerang orang awam memperlihatkan keengganan Kyiv menyelesaikan konflik peperangan dua negara dengan cara perdamaian.
Fadillah tiba di Peru, hadiri mesyuarat menteri-menteri tenaga APEC 2024
Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof tiba Lima, Peru bagi menghadiri Mesyuarat Menteri-Menteri Tenaga (EMM) di bawah Kerjasama Ekonomi Asia Pasifik (APEC) yang berlangsung selama dua hari.
BNM denda Maybank RM4.32 juta, CIMB RM760,000 berikutan gangguan perkhidmatan berpanjangan
Bank Negara Malaysia mengenakan Penalti Monetari Pentadbiran (AMP) sebanyak RM4.32 juta ke atas Malayan Banking Bhd dan Maybank Islamic Bhd serta RM760,000 ke atas CIMB Bank Bhd dan CIMB Islamic Bank Bhd susulan gangguan beberapa perkhidmatan perbankan yang berpanjangan.
![Pertubuhan kebajikan New Zealand mohon maaf edar gula-gula bercampur dadah Methamphetamine Pertubuhan kebajikan New Zealand mohon maaf edar gula-gula bercampur dadah Methamphetamine](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/41723674988_pineapplesweetsme.jpg)
Pertubuhan kebajikan New Zealand mohon maaf edar gula-gula bercampur dadah Methamphetamine
Auckland City Mission secara tidak sengaja telah mengagihkan gula-gula bercampur Methamphetamine yang boleh membawa maut melalui pek makanan.
Pesakit buah pinggang di Gaza hadapi kekurangan mesin dialisis
Pesakit buah pinggang di Gaza menghadapi kekurangan peralatan dialisis dan bekalan perubatan yang teruk di Khan Younis.
![Ceritalah: Sejarah berulang dengan gunung berapi Taal Ceritalah: Sejarah berulang dengan gunung berapi Taal](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-01/61579382454_GunungBerapiTaal.jpg)
Ceritalah: Sejarah berulang dengan gunung berapi Taal
Pemandangan ketika Taal meletup dan imej-imej semarak debu yang besar dan menakutkan naik ke arah langit diiringi dengan kilatan guruh dan petir yang disebarkan ke seluruh dunia oleh media sosial.
![Ceritalah: Tuntutan China atas Laut China Selatan - ASEAN harus bersatu Ceritalah: Tuntutan China atas Laut China Selatan - ASEAN harus bersatu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-01/71578960727_PelabuhanTanjung.jpg)
Ceritalah: Tuntutan China atas Laut China Selatan - ASEAN harus bersatu
Pada tahun 2016, pemimpin-pemimpin dunia memandang Beijing dan beliau sebagai suatu hab alternatif - bagi suatu pendekatan terhadap ekonomi dan politik global yang berprinsip dan seimbang.
![Ceritalah ASEAN - Joko Anwar: Cemerlang atas usaha sendiri Ceritalah ASEAN - Joko Anwar: Cemerlang atas usaha sendiri](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-01/71578272033_JokoAnwar.jpg)
Ceritalah ASEAN - Joko Anwar: Cemerlang atas usaha sendiri
Tarikannya dan citra jenakanya menyembunyikan suatu minda yang amat bekerja keras dan berfokus.
![Ceritalah - Perang dadah Duterte: Rakyat suram sambut Krismas Ceritalah - Perang dadah Duterte: Rakyat suram sambut Krismas](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/51576971993_Philippinesprotest.jpg)
Ceritalah - Perang dadah Duterte: Rakyat suram sambut Krismas
Kerana enggan kekal diam dan menerima takdir berdarah anaknya, Normita terpaksa meninggalkan rumahnya dan sekarang tinggal bersama seorang sanak saudaranya di bahagian lain bandar itu.
![Ceritalah ASEAN - Aung San Suu Kyi: Lannister atau Stark? Ceritalah ASEAN - Aung San Suu Kyi: Lannister atau Stark?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/71576388260_SuuKyi.jpg)
Ceritalah ASEAN - Aung San Suu Kyi: Lannister atau Stark?
Aung San Suu Kyi dari Myanmar - anak seorang jeneral, mengetuai sebuah negara amat rapuh telah menjadi musuh Tatmadaw (tentera) untuk menjadi apologis atau, lebih teruk lagi, pemudah mereka.
![Ceritalah ASEAN - Plastik: Patut dikekalkan atau dihapuskan? Ceritalah ASEAN - Plastik: Patut dikekalkan atau dihapuskan?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/71575945728_CeritalahAsean.jpg)
Ceritalah ASEAN - Plastik: Patut dikekalkan atau dihapuskan?
Gabungan pendapatan dari 50 firma petrokimia teratas dalam tahun 2018 adalah ASD926.8 bilion, jauh melebihi industri penapisan berjumlah ASD400 bilion.
![Ceritalah Indonesia - Jawa: Mengenai bahasa dan perpaduan Ceritalah Indonesia - Jawa: Mengenai bahasa dan perpaduan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/41575157181_BahasaJawa.jpg)
Ceritalah Indonesia - Jawa: Mengenai bahasa dan perpaduan
Secara berasingan, kesemua tujuh presiden Indonesia mempunyai darah Jawa - termasuk BJ Habibie kelahiran Sulawesi yang baru meninggal. BJ Habibie adalah separuh Jawa.
![Ceritalah - Enam hari di laut: Suatu pelayaran di atas Nggapulu Ceritalah - Enam hari di laut: Suatu pelayaran di atas Nggapulu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-10/81571638629_TBCERITALAHPELNI.jpg)
Ceritalah - Enam hari di laut: Suatu pelayaran di atas Nggapulu
Dari saat para penumpang menaiki feri lapan tingkat itu, Nggapulu menjadi suatu mikrokosmo republik itu sendiri.
![Ceritalah Indonesia - Anak muda memberontak: Apa mereka mahu? Ceritalah Indonesia - Anak muda memberontak: Apa mereka mahu?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-10/61570317392_polis.jpg)
Ceritalah Indonesia - Anak muda memberontak: Apa mereka mahu?
Antara 23 dan 30 September, Hamzah adalah salah seorang daripada ribuan pelajar yang membuat bantahan di luar Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) menghidupkan semula ingatan pada waktu Reformasi.
![Ceritalah: Gelombang kemasukan pelancong India ke Asia Tenggara Ceritalah: Gelombang kemasukan pelancong India ke Asia Tenggara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-09/71569798894_IndianTourist.jpg)
Ceritalah: Gelombang kemasukan pelancong India ke Asia Tenggara
Sementara ekonomi India mungkin menghadapi kemerosotannya sendiri, pelancong dari gergasi Asia Selatan itu menjadi kuasa yang semakin perlu diiktiraf di rantau Asia Tenggara.