This post is my response to Skipps’ comment on my previous post

Can a modern democracy really co-exist with Islam?

As someone with extremely limited political knowledge about Malaysia ( I know more about the English & American political climate) , I am very inclined to answer no. Modern democracy will not survive with leaders that utter daft comments i.e.:Ugly women should have first dibs at jobs, as it is easier for prettier women to get married and be supported by their husband. BOLLOCKS to that

PAS’ dubious connections with Jemaah Islamiah and al-Qaeda also puts them in the hotspot of the international press – and I have no doubt that if PAS were to ever get their wish of a pan-Asian islamic State; the country I love will literally sink into hell with international businesses leaving it in droves and tourists afraid of stepping foot in KLIA.It also does not help when Parliamentary representatives hurl insults of an Opposition woman MP’s monthly ‘leakages’ and manage to go unpunished as demanded by BN….which part of real democracy condones putting women down?

I agree with Skipps that religion has to become less important to allow people to benefit economically and socially. Irregardless of what the religion is be it Christianity/ Hinduism/ Confucianism, governing with a religious intent ultimately sacrifices real democracy as in many ways religion supresses true freedom.

Traditionally, both PAS and UMNO had always utilised religion as a way to garner Malay support and keep them toeing the line – by separating the Malay, Chinese and Indian, they have instilled fear in the Chinese and Indian about voting for the opposition and thus lowering the number of representative from their own race in the government. By separating the races, they have also instilled the ideaology of ‘Ketuanan Melayu’, or Malay Lordship over all other races in Malaysia. What better way of uniting the Malay race than the obvious tie that bind all Malays together irregardless of class or caste – Islam.

And how does Malaysia deal with its richer island neighbor down south?

For all its political dictatorshipstability , I will always prefer Malaysia for cultural purposes, more laid back attitute and delicious food. Fair enough, most Singaporeans prefer Singapore and will always turn their noses up at their ‘poorer’ relations, forgetting that we were once the same country. And I believe that Malaysia lost its global competitiveness with the backward movement in radical islamic values spearheaded by our previous PM, Dr M. A very easy example would be the way Malay women dress. 40 years ago, the national dress is a tight fitting and often low cut kebaya.Fast forward to the ‘modern ages’, the national dress of baju kurung is now a shapeless sack-like dress all the way to the ankles and the head fully covered by the tudung (chador)

That aside, I think Malaysia should not compete with Singapore – there is never an end to keeping up with the Joneses. I think Malaysia should concentrate on promoting its abundant natural resources, its unique heritage and stop the pilfering by BN. The squeaky clean image of Singapore is just hiding a country ruled with an iron fist; intelligent citizens a product of the strict education system but no one brave enough to stand up to the iron fist government.

After the recent elections, I can now say that Malaysians have the guts to stand against the status quo and protest in what they believe is wrong – the question is does Singapore?

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