By Chan Kheng Hoe
We recently witnessed the conclusion of the conference on Jihad Ekonomi Melayu. When I saw that phrase, I thought to myself, what an anomaly. True, the Malay agenda is often confused with the Islamic agenda, whether on purpose or otherwise. But can the words "jihad" and "Melayu" truly go together? Let`s re-think this issue.
"Jihad" is the Muslim concept of a struggle. On a micro level, it can be construed as a struggle for personal purity. Hence, a man seeking to live a righteous life is on a personal jihad. For society, jihad could indicate a struggle to promote virtue and shun vice. In this sense, the religious department on a khalwat raid is in fact on a jihad to promote virtuous living and avoid immorality. In the extreme sense, jihad could be used to justify militancy.
"Melayu" is defined by the Federal Constitution to be a Muslim who speaks Malay and practices Malay customs. That, however, is not exactly accurate. A Baba Muslim who speaks Malay and practises Malay customs is nevertheless not Melayu. The common understanding refers to the dominant racial group in Malaysia. Whilst closely associated with Islam, Melayu is in fact distinct from Islam. Most Malays are Muslims, but most Muslims in the world are not Malays. Islam is wider and more all-encompassing.
Since both Islam and Melayu are deemed sensitive topics, let me first set out my personal convictions. First, I absolutely agree with the Malay agenda in so far as it addresses injustice and promotes egalitarianism. Fact is, no society can allow any one particular racial group to be marginalised, especially the majority. It is the abuse of the Malay agenda to enrich the super-rich that I find difficult to support.
Secondly, I absolutely agree with and support the Islamic agenda in so far as it reflects Islam as the beautiful religion that it should and could be. When Islam promotes the teachings of the Holy Quran, and displays the true spirit of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him), there is little to argue with the Islamic agenda. However, when Islam gets twisted and distorted by individuals or political parties for selfish personal and political motives, even my Muslim friends reject that particular brand of Islam.
So, why is "jihad ekonomi Melayu" an anomaly?
Consider the fact that the Islamic agenda and the Malay agenda are in fact two distinct agendas. They may look and feel the same at times, but they are vastly different. The Islamic agenda is bigger, wider and more all-encompassing. The Malay agenda is limited to one racial group. Whilst the Malay agenda seeks to promote the interests of Malays in order to cultivate glocal Malays, the Islamic agenda is a truly global phenomenon which promotes the interests of the global ummah.
Hence, when we speak of "jihad ekonomi Melayu", is Islam co-opting the Malay agenda or is the Malay agenda co-opting Islam? Both scenarios are in fact untenable.
Islam cannot co-opt the Malay agenda because the Malay agenda, strictly speaking, is extra-Islamic. It may not be un-Islamic (as in being opposed to Islam), but it does exceed the boundaries permitted by Islam. For instance, Islam cannot discriminate amongst the ummah. This means that bumiputra firms cannot be favoured. As long as companies are controlled by Muslims and engaged in Syariah-compliant economic activities, they must be promoted even if Chinese and Indian Muslims are at the helm.
The Malay agenda also cannot co-opt Islam because not all Malays are true, practising Muslims. There are the delinquents who womanise and drink. There are also the many who do not internalise the teachings of Islam, who have no interest in spiritual matters and whose motivations are solely duniawi. Are these people part of the Malay agenda? Yes. Would they embrace the Islamic agenda? No way.
The Malay agenda has been cleverly disguised to appear both Islamic and Malay. Fact is, it is a distortion of both Islam and Malay culture. The Malays are a beautiful people. They are hospitable, genteel, cultured, generous, simple (not simplistic), wise. There is so much about the Malay people that everyone can look up to, embrace and love. However, when self-serving politicians and greedy businessmen purport to represent the Malay race, they paint a picture that makes it difficult for others to appreciate.
What is the real "jihad ekonomi Melayu"? To develop a true and proper understanding of both Islam and Malay culture, and to put that into practice. When that happens, we will not only be looking at glocal Malays, but truly global Malays. It would indeed be a struggle that the Malay race, and the Islamic ummah, can be truly proud of.
Source: www.sun2surf.com (20 April 2007)
