'Don't know, don't care' - how 1 in 6 Malaysians feel about other religions, cultures

About a sixth of Malaysians said they do not know about other religions and cultures, and do not have any interest to learn more.

When asked if they are familiar with religions and cultures other than their own, 16 percent said they are not at all familiar and have no interest to learn.

A total of 24 percent of respondents said they were unfamiliar but willing to learn, while the remaining 60 percent say they are either very familiar or somewhat familiar.

This was based on responses from 1,024 people nationwide in a survey commissioned by Malaysiakini, through the research firm Vase.ai.

The survey was commissioned as part of the research for Malaysiakini’s article on education and integration, which will be published tomorrow in conjunction with Merdeka Day.

A look into the data revealed the results are mostly consistent across age and ethnic groups.

However, proportionally, bumiputera respondents who said they did not know or care to learn about other religions or cultures are almost double that of Chinese or Indian respondents respectively.

A total of 19 percent of bumiputera respondents said they are unfamiliar and unwilling to learn about other cultures and religions, compared to 10 percent of ethnic Chinese and 11 percent of ethnic Indians.

Ethnic Indians are also the most familiar with other cultures and religions with 69 percent saying they were, compared to 58 percent ethnic Chinese and 60 percent bumiputera.

Bumiputera most uncomfortable visiting other places of worship

Ethnic Indian respondents were also the most comfortable visiting places of worship for religions other than their own.

But this is almost at par with ethnic Chinese respondents, with 84 percent and 82 percent of Indian and Chinese respondents saying they were comfortable, respectively.

In contrast, only half of the bumiputera respondents said they were comfortable visiting places of worship for religions besides their own.

Although the survey does not ask this, the reason for bumiputera discomfort is likely due to religion. Malays, who are Muslim, make up the bulk of the bumiputera community.

Responding to a question on whether Muslims can enter another religion’s place of worship, the Federal Territories Mufti’s Office last year said it is permissible if it follows the tenets of Islam.

“This includes if the intention is to spread the teachings of Islam, interfaith dialogue et cetera. But attending a religious celebration there is not allowed.

“A Muslim is also permitted to attend a wedding in a church. The attendance is encouraged if this the wedding of a member of the family, friends, neighbours, or if your attendance can contribute to the spread of Islamic teachings,” it said.

It was responding to a question by a Muslim convert, who asked if it is permissible to him/her to attend a relative’s church wedding.

---

- Mkini