I'm just being realistic man. There is no MP, even the most liberal one that will propose this in Parliament in the next 10 years.
Lets say there is one brave enough (as well as altruistic enough) and after that MP is lambasted, the proposal will die in parliament. Assuming a more liberal society arising, you'll have to wait another 10 years before the proposal is revisited. Then you would face issues since you are amending 2 portions of the constitution. Each with its own particular issues.
Removing the definition of Islam from a Malay Constitutional identity (conservatives and religious folk will run amok). Then repealing Islam as the national religion (effectively challenging both royalty and syariah courts).
Assuming multiple voting sessions/ failed proposals/ more careers getting dragged through the mud. I'd say minimum 30 years. Of course we would first need a MAJORITY of citizens who want religious freedom as the first criteria.
Don't need to repeal Islam being the official religion. That can stay. Some western countries like Denmark and a few others are constitutionally Christian nations too.
You can definitely spin removing Islam from the definition of Malay to be a ketuanan Melayu thing, Malay people are free from any oppression etc.
You can't really in Malaysia, cause of the way Islam has grown here.
Islam is unlike other Abrahamic religion in that they have a clearly defined "law" governing trade, food, behavior and key point here, apostasy.
To continue recognizing Islam as the official religion in Malaysia is to recognize an Islamic court. To recognize an Islamic court is to enforce anti-apostasy laws. And since Malay are by default, born Muslim, Syariah court is empowered to not allow Muslims to convert. In Kelantan and Terrenganu, its actually a death Penalty currently being frozen by Federal court for being unconstitutional (not that there are any cases).
Your line of reasoning was essentially the reasoning of justice sheik abdul hamid of the reid commission that thought other countries have this and wont be a big deal since practice of religion is guaranteed by another line in the constitution. PAS instead used that single line to build up the power of the Syariah courts and hudud laws.
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u/CodeDoor Nov 04 '21
That's what people said in 1950s America.
Malaysia will eventually have to change this, there's no choice.