LAND OF FATWAS

Zaid Ibrahim

Malays are a demanding lot — that we know. They have enjoyed special privileges far beyond what was intended under the Federal Constitution and have survived on a rentier business model since 1969. Now they want to regulate and manage this supposedly emerging high-income country in an “Islamic” manner. But they are not treating Islam seriously.

Some Malays are unhappy with Malaysia Airlines cabin crew having to serve alcohol to flight passengers, although they must have known what was expected of the crew when they applied for the jobs. Others have suggested that MAS not serve alcohol at all, and that the airline should mandate appropriate dressing for their stewardesses, i.e. have them cover their aurat. But none of them care to comment on the PM’s wife’s dress code, and her aurat. They know when to shut up when it involves people in high places.

Then there has been a proliferation of fatwas on numerous things, the latest is vaping. The country used to depend on the Cabinet to make rulings but with the advent of fatwas, even state governments can ban any business activities considered to be haram. Negeri Sembilan, for example, has banned vaping for Muslims, again because of a fatwa. As expected tobacco companies are spared the ban, although smoking is also haram.

Big companies and VVIPs are not affected by fatwas in the country.

I think we should be consistent . Either we take fatwas seriously and make them applicable to all and sundry; or people will think we are a bunch of double barrel hypocrites, putting Islam in ridicule. Let the fatwa committees deliberate and decide on all issues affecting this Islamic country; although I much prefer the old system when government through the Cabinet or the State Excos decide on matters affecting the public without having to resort to fatwas.

If we are taking the fatwa route in governing the country, then we should have a fatwa ruling on the TPPA, as suggested by PAS Pokok Sena MP Dato Mahfuz Omar. Then there would be no need to waste everybody’s time with parliamentary debates. We should get a ruling on the sale of 1MDB land to foreigners who are communists and who do not believe in God. The Attorney-General should also consult the fatwa committee in deciding what to do with the MACC’s 1MDB report.

Let’s not forget a fatwa for business dealings with non-Muslims. Not only do we need a separate digital mall for Malays, we also need separate supermarkets, restaurants and hotels. As for airlines, I suggest let Rayani Air take care of all Muslims who want to fly in peace and give MAS to the infidels.

Since the sources of income of non-Muslims are surely not halal, we should separate the taxes we collect from them and use them only for non-Muslims. Muslims must be content with taxes collected from Muslims only, since religious purity is so important to them.

Meanwhile, the Pahang fatwa committee has been silent on the casino operation in Genting — that’s not right. There should be a fatwa on that too, as well as bauxite mining in the state since people say corruption was involved. Even cases that come to the courts should be subject to fatwa rulings. This would dispense with the need for judges to make excuses for their decisions.

At the rate we are going, we will have the most fatwas in the Muslim world; and that’s consistent with the Shariah compliant government we now have in Putrajaya.