The politico-legal character of Malaysia: secular or religious?

The Kuala Lumpur Syariah Court. The writer says in Malaysia, the interpretation of Islam is not monolithic. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

THE DEBATE surrounding the politico-legal character of Malaysia – whether it is a secular or religious (Islamic) state – is both ongoing and complex. This discussion is far from new and is likely to persist due to several fundamental factors; the demographic composition, the Federal Constitution, the State Constitutions and varying interpretations of Islam itself.

This article will explore these four aspects with examples to address the question of whether there can be a true separation between the State and Islam in Malaysia.