Apparently, the Malaysian constitution puts Islam, Malay language, and Malay culture together in order to define a Malay person who is a citizen of Malaysia. That is, to be considered a Malay, you must be a Muslim, speak Malay, and accept the Malay culture.

However, changing faith is an inviolable human right. A Malay should be allowed to leave Islam and accept another faith if he wants to. In Malaysia, the constitution does not allow a Malay to leave Islam. There are, however, some Malays who have converted to Christianity secretly. They cannot live openly as Christians. Some of these secret Christian Malays have to leave Malaysia.

Sometimes, a Malay and non-Malay fall in love. They cannot get married if both of them do not become Muslims. So, the couple, I have read, have to leave Malaysia, and live else where. If the laws are changed and Malays are allowed to leave Islam and accept another faith, then the Christian Malays who hide in other countries can return to Malaysia.

The solution to the problem is to have a constitutional amendment to have two kinds of Malays: Muslim Malays and non-Muslim Malays. Changing faith is an inviolable human right. Let the Malays and not-Malays decide which faith they want to belong to. The constitution does allow for freedom of religion. If the constitution does allow for freedom of religion, then why is that a Malay cannot leave Islam and continue to be identified as a Malay?

In the March 2008 elections, it has been seen that the people have rejected race-based political parties. If UMNO does not reinvent itself and become non-racial and non-religious, then she would find it hard to rise again. Thus, UMNO would be well advised to lead in making a constitutional amendment in Parliament to have two kinds of Malays: Muslim Malays and non-Muslim Malays.

By May 2008 we know that UMNO is dependent on Sabah and Sarawak voters more than ever before. I hope the Sabah and Sarawak voters would ask for the cooperation of UMNO on this matter of religious conversion. Sabah and Sarawak have few race based political parties. Race based political parties were characteristic of Peninsular Malaysian politics until March 2008. It would not make sense for Sabah and Sarawak political parties to continue to cooperate with a race based political party like UMNO. Even rats flee a sinking ship. Would Sabah and Sarawak political parties be prepared to sink or sail with UMNO? It would be naïve of Sabah and Sarawak political parties to be prepared to sink or sail with UMNO. Sabah and Sarawak political parties should take care of themselves, instead of giving blind loyalty to UMNO. Within a few years, they would have another general election; and Sabah and Sarawak political parties should prepare for the future; and the future looks like non-racial and non-religious political parties are gaining ground. Do you see UMNO in the future? Does anybody see UMNO re-invent itself? The fate of UMNO continues to be debated. Some think it will not last another 60 days, others give it a maximum of 100 days, and still others give it a generous one year. Time will tell.

There is a difference between Malay and Islam. Malay is a race, while Islam is a religion. Malays are probably the single largest group in Malaysia. I would hope Malays continue to be well represented in all sectors. Malay supremacy/kekuatan Melayu is what I consider as Malay presence. It would be sad if Malay presence disappears in Malaysia. It would be unfair if Malay presence disappears in Malaysia. I could live will Malay representation/presence at all levels. But Malay representation should be differentiated with Islamic presence. Malay representation and Islamic representation are not the same. We have to separate Malay from Islam. There are different kinds of Malays. Not all Malays are Muslims, and the constitution of Malaysia should be amended to accept that. It would help to improve race relations and nation building in Malaysia. If the Malays are sincere of improving race relations and nation building, then they would agree with me. Yes, changing faith is an inviolable human right.

UMNO may want to learn a few lessons from Sabah and Sarawak where many political parties have open membership to all races and religions.

Even if Sabah and Sarawak political parties continue a relationship with a race based political party like UMNO, they should continue to assert their diversity. Yes, Sabah and Sarawak political parties should, if need be, even vote against a UMNO initiated bill in Parliament if they do not agree with it. Some times they should vote in favor of an UMNO bill and some times they should vote against a UMNO bill. Sabah and Sarawak political parties should prove to the voters that they have a mind of their own, not just toe the UMNO line all the time. When voting day comes, then the Sabah and Sarawak voters can teach the Sabah and Sarawak politicians a lesson too.

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Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK) has his own web site at http://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/. Apparently he posted something entitled “Let’s send the Altantunya murderers to hell”. The Malaysian Police responded by questioning him for two hours and then releasing him. I cannot claim that I know much about the incident. However, we need separation of powers in Malaysia. The Police and the Politicians must be separate so that the police can do their work independently. However, there may be a case of concentration of power whereby the politicians have influenced and directed the police. If there is concentration of power, then the police are no longer the police, but have transformed into the Gestapo. We do not want any Gestapo in Malaysia. Was RPK questioned by the police or Gestapo? If RPK favors freedom of expression, then I hope RPK continues his struggle and never gets intimidated by either the police or political police. I urge all the Malaysians to vigilantly follow how the RPK case transpires. RPK may soon be charged for sedition.

It is important that voters carefully follow the RPK case closely. On Election Day the voters can teach the politicians a lesson. Voters should use their votes to teach the politicians a lesson. Voting is the only way for the people to teach the politicians a lesson. Please do teach the politicians a lesson using your vote.