We’re becoming an Islamic state at a faster pace, warns ex-diplomat

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KUALA LUMPUR – Despite widespread concern about the rise of Islamisation in Malaysia, non-Muslims in the country can rest assured that the nation will not become a full-blown Islamic state.

Former Umno MP Tawfik Ismail, the eldest son of the late former deputy prime minister Tun Ismail Abdul Rahman, said this is largely due to the disunity among the Malay-Muslim majority.

“In terms of religion, please remember that we have nine sultans and 13 muftis who have different ideas on how religion should be administered.

“So, I don’t see the big threat of a unified Islamic uprising of the right wing to make us all live in fear. I think it will cancel each other out.”

Tawfik was speaking during the Umno Redux: What Next for Malaysia? webinar, held in conjunction with the release of Paradise Lost: Mahathir & The End of Hope, a book authored by prominent former Malaysian ambassador Datuk Dennis Ignatius, yesterday evening.

Among those present were former attorney-general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas and political analyst Prof James Chin.

Tawfik, who previously held the Sg Benut federal seat, was responding to a question on where he believes Malaysia is headed in the next 20 years.


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