Jacqueline Ann Surin writes that the Malaysian state is constitutionally secular, and consequently the courts cannot hand down decisions that force individuals to seek redress in religious courts. (more)
The Iraqi government is contemplating using the Malaysian Constitution
as a template for its own. Malaysia is an Islamic state that has constitutional freedom of religion. Malaysia also has three large ethnic groups; Malay, Chinese and Indian. It appears that the Iraqis see similarities between Malaysia and the Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish issue.
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In Muslim nations that go to the ballot box, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Bangladesh, extremist political parties get crushed by voters. Those extremists are not able to earn more than a few percent of the vote. Most people want good government, the electricity to work, the trains to run on time, low crime and so forth. The people are wise, and with a proper outlet to let that wisdom flow to government, superior outcomes prevail. Voters choose secular political parties over religious ones, and moderate parties over extremists.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are the two best examples of failed states which breed extremist views. Both use the state to advocate an intolerant religious monoculture that is the basis for their authority. To reject the state, dissenters also reject the monoculture by choosing extremism. Lately Australia is establishing the "National Security State" and expanding the "Shadow State". In addition the Australian conservative commenteriat are seeking to establish a monoculture. These place us closer to the conditions that make Saudi Arabia such a problem. Only the principles of Australian Republicanism can save us now.
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