ASIA/MALAYSIA - Election victory for moderate Islam led by Abdullah Badawi: relief among ethnic and religious minorities

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Kuala Lumpur (Fides Service) - There is general satisfaction particularly among ethnic and religious minorities for the outcome of the vote on 21 March. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his party Barisan Nasional BN and the coalition of the United Malays National Organization UMNO, obtained a clear victory.
The BN won 47 new seats and the coalition now has 195 of the 219 seats in Parliament, and local government in 12 of the 13 states of the Federation of Malaysia, after taking Terengganu state from the Malay Islamic Party MIP and losing only in Kelantan state.
“The result shows the support which the coalition enjoys”, said the Prime Minister whose campaign was based on commitment to eliminate corruption, start economic reforms and promote respect for ethnic and religious minorities. His line in moderate, based on a modern and tolerant Islam which respects all religions. Badawi is also committed to fighting terrorism and Muslim extremism.
Whereas on the contrary the MIP based its campaign on measures such as compulsory veil for women, Sharia law for social questions and Muslim education in schools. Last year the Malaysian government suspended grants to about 2,500 Islamic schools on the grounds that they were schools for MIP ideology.
On the eve of the elections the ecumenical Christian Federation of Malaysia, issued a call to vote for candidates committed to promoting the common good of the people, including religious and ethnic minorities. A similar call came from the Interreligious Council comprising Muslim, Christian, Hind, Buddhist and Sikh leaders who urged the people to vote for candidates known for their honesty, credibility, individual politicians and political groups of quality.
The religious minorities are pleased at the re-election of Badawi, described by the Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Archbishop Murphy Pakiam, in a conversation with Fides as “a man of honesty, cordiality and availability person, a moderate Muslim leader”. “He has shown concern for the ordinary people, minority groups such as the Chinese community and small religious communities such as the Christian community in Malaysia. So far his government has been positive based on eliminating corruption and promoting transparency in public administration. This has built up a good social atmosphere and prospects for the future of Malaysia are encouraging” the Archbishop told Fides
Malaysia has a population of 25 million: 47.7% Muslim, 8.3% Christian and small groups of Hindus, Buddhists and followers of traditional religions. Malaysia’s Catholics, 770,000, are gathered in 2 archdioceses and 6 dioceses.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/3/2004 lines 45 words 468)


Share: