KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said that secularism which completely cuts off and separates between religion and state is not acceptable in Malaysia.
He said the term ‘secular’ itself must be properly understood by society.
“Why do we need to accept laïcité when religious values are important? The state has its secular elements but religious values must be embedded inside the system, that is our (Malaysia) standing.
“Once you start declaring Malaysia as a secular state, then people will start questioning, what about Islam as the religion of the Federation? What about the Islamic department and how do you reconcile that with the Sultan being the head of religion in the state?” Anwar said.
He was speaking at a question-and-answer session, during the International Malaysia Law Conference 2023, earlier today.
Anwar said the term secular must be fully understood and learned by the masses to prevent a disconnect between the narrative and discourse brought by the urban and elite, as well as the sentiment of the public.
“The general Muslim masses take secularism as something anti-religion. That is why when I said we are not secular, I am referring to that context,” said Anwar.
— Bernama
