Lessons in curbing the 'green wave' in Malaysia

Karim Raslan The Star Asia News Network Selangor, Malaysia

In the recent March 21 general election, Malaysia demonstrated that the "green wave" -- the tide of political Islam that seems to be engulfing the Muslim world -- can be stopped, and democratically.

In a stunning nation-wide reversal, the party that is led by ulamas or religious scholars lost one of the two state governments it controlled as well as 75 percent of the parliamentary seats it had secured in the 1999 polls. At the same time, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's ruling Barisan Nasional coalition increased its share of the national vote from 56.48 percent to 63.81 percent over the same period.

The surprising victory in Malaysia offers six vital lessons for policy-makers who are concerned about developments across the Islamic world.

Moreover, with Indonesia -- the world's largest Muslim nation going to the polls on April 5 -- the turnaround in Malaysia could well have substantial impact on the momentum currently being enjoyed by the country's Islamist parties.

Azyumardi Azra, the rector of the State Islamic University, the country's leading religious seminary, argues: "Many of the country's leading ultra-conservative Muslim parties have looked to PAS both for inspiration and for guidance. Their defeat will come as a major psychological blow."

Firstly, there is a growing realization that the division of mosque and state, a legacy of the Enlightenment, is unworkable in the Islamic world.

Policy-makers must come to terms with the fact that democratization in the Islamic world will not lead to westernization. Muslims demand a holistic view of life with Islam as the guiding force and leaders in those societies must respond to popular sentiment by engaging in Islamic issues in a manner that marries deep religious concerns with contemporary socio- political and economic demands.

Second, the Malaysian Premier's success demonstrates that political leaders in majority-Muslim nations cannot shy away from debates about Islamic subjects since such debates can and will extend far beyond issues of personal faith and ritual.

As such, aspiring leaders must acquire an extensive knowledge of their faith and its underlying history and philosophy. Such leaders have to possess the courage to promote and argue for a progressive religious ethos -- one that is consistent with economic development, democracy and civil society issues such as gender and minority rights.

In this respect, Badawi has also encouraged liberal-inclined scholars to engage in religious discourse, thereby balancing out the obscurantism of Middle East trained clerics who have sought to preserve their monopoly on the interpretation of the Quran.

Third, non-Arabic speaking Muslim societies such as Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan must resist the rampant "Arab- isation" of their cultures.

In this context, Badawi's administration has deliberately promoted traditional Malay arts and culture -- thereby acknowledging the country's heterodox Hindu, Buddhist and specifically Southeast Asian roots.

Interestingly, Badawi's espousal of often overlooked Malay social and personal values such as tolerance, gentlemanliness and self-control struck a vital chord in the country, contributing in large part to his electoral victory.

Fourth, Muslims demand justice and fairness. A government's legitimacy will be judged by its ability to conduct free and fair elections, maintain law and order and manage civil society issues.

As Muslims gain greater personal freedoms they will want to exercise these freedoms. Instances of injustice will undermine the credibility and legitimacy of an administration.

Fifth, American policy-makers must come to terms with the fact that close proximity to Washington will undermine the credibility of any democratically elected Muslim leader.

The unfairness and injustice of the continuing U.S. sponsorship and support of Israeli aggression -- witness the extrajudicial killing of Hamas' Sheik Ahmed Yassin -- is absolutely unacceptable to the vast majority of Muslims.

Finally, modern governments have to stamp out the rent-seeking and corruption that has become the hallmark of contemporary Muslim business world. Greater transparency and accountability in corporate life and governance are absolutely vital.

At the same time, it is important to ensure that the weakest sections of the community -- often in the countryside -- are not left behind.

To this end, the Malaysian administration has crafted populist policies directed at the much-neglected Malay/Muslim rural sector while endeavoring to stamp out corruption.

Moreover, governments that advocate a contemporary Islamic world-view have to ensure that economic growth is equitable and sustainable. It should be remembered that a great deal of the animus against free-market, liberal democracy arises from the failure of such systems to deliver real economic benefits to the ordinary man.