DAR AL ISLAM - MALAYSIA: MALAYSIA IS NOT SO 'MODERATE' AFTER ALL

Malaysian govt using Islam to gain mileage in upcoming polls, says Mahathir

Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday accused the government of using Islam to gain political mileage in upcoming general elections, causing growing racial and religious tension in multiethnic Malaysia.

Mahathir said government and Islamic court decisions in a spate of interfaith conflicts that have sparked concerns among non-Muslim minorities for their religious rights were driven by political interest, and not based on the true teachings of Islam.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government, which is preparing for elections likely to be called in March, is worried it may lose votes to the opposition Pan-Islamic Party, or PAS, Mahathir told reporters following the launch of his new book.

"It's no longer religion, it's politics," said Mahathir, who retired in 2003 after 22 years in power.

"If (the decisions) reflect the true teachings of Islam, we will have no problem with non-Muslims."

He warned the situation could be destabilizing as racial harmony is fragile in Malaysia.

...



Pertinent Links:

1) Malaysian govt using Islam to gain mileage in upcoming polls, says Mahathir