Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and the government have to be congratulated for not tabling PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s bill to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act or Act 355.

Indeed it is to the prime minister’s, as well as the government`s and the opposition’s credit that Barisan National have accepted the harmonious consensus of the BN component parties, as well as the strong views of some opposition parties and many Malaysians, throughout peninsula Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.

The government’s decisive decision is a big vote for wasatiyyah (Moderation) and strengthens domestic and foreign confidence that this government can ‘walk the talk’.

However, I must confess that I, like many other Muslims and especially non-Muslims, was quite uncertain as to how the government would move forward on this sensitive and fundamental issue, with all its serious implications on the future directions of our beloved country’s future.

Now we hope that the speaker will continue to wisely use his characteristic sound judgment to follow the government’s and opposition’s broad consensus and reflect the noble spirit of wasatiyyah by rejecting any notion to vote on Hadi’s bill.

Pursuing the principles of wasatiyyah

Now we can heavily sigh in relief and be more confident that the government will also pursue the principles of wasatiyyah more effectively than before.

Here again there has been much doubt as to how keen the government has been in implementing wasatiyyah fully. For the sake of feedback to the government, and not being negative in any way, I have to say that there has been considerable doubt as to whether the government really meant what it said about actively promoting wasatiyyah.

Students would ask - where is the moderation when some students get scholarships and others who do better all-round, fail to win scholarships. Others ask why they don’t get promoted faster in the civil service, when lesser-qualified or less competent colleagues streak past them. Then there are the licences, land alienation and permits, Approved Permits and government contractors that are awarded to poor performers and public funds often wasted.

Actually wasatiyyah can only be properly implemented when government policies are fair to all. The race and religious elements must be carefully and steadily phased out over a set time period - but not too long. All policies should be based on basic needs and merit and fairness and moderation, regardless of race and religion. All Malaysians should be given the basic needs like Education, Housing, Security, Good Environment, Health and Transport facilities, equitably.

Wasatiyyah Plan 2016-2020

The National Wasatiyyah Policy (DWN) was launched in the Wasatiyyah Five Year Plan on Oct 21 last year. However we have not seen much that has been publicly promoted and implemented so far.

Hence I would propose that the Wasatiyyah Plan should be publicised more intensely and widely. Furthermore, this Wasatiyyah Plan and its policies have to be discussed in a bottom-up fashion and not top to bottom, for the wasatiyyah policies to be fully supported by the people/rakyat.

Five main wasatiyyah objectives

The prime minister announced the five main objectives of wasatiyyah in Parliament on Tuesday, as follows. But how do we interpret them on the ground?

1. Bolstering Malaysians’ understanding of the wasatiyyah approach as a bedrock in life.

This is basically sound, but the rakyat need to know more details of how this is to be achieved. Teaching wasatiyyah principles in schools alone is insufficient. Colleges, universities and the civil service and the private sector must be fully involved to make wasatiyyah really work.

2. Resolving societal problems stemming from extremism, radicalism and integrity issues.

To follow this principle, we have to come down harder on those who preach hatred, as proposed by the Sultan of Selangor and the prime minister, in all-out policies and practices, without exceptions.

3. Strengthening the appreciation of wasatiyyah to promote a high spirit of mutual tolerance.

For this we need to have concrete programmes, like encouraging open houses for festivals and visiting each other’s place of worship, etc. Now however this has been reduced by polarisation.

4. To develop a harmonious Malaysian identity in appreciating excellent values and ethics.

Thus, we all be more exposed to the best and the beauty of all religions and cultures. After all, religions primarily promote peace and goodwill and charity with our neighbours.

5. Inculcating moderation as a way of life in all aspects, including education, economy, administration, social and politics.

Surely, we all want quality education for our children and an economy that brings more benefits to the poor, a more efficient administration, with far less or no corruption and a more cultured society, and cleaner and more professional politicians?

Conclusion

So let’s reject Hadi’s bill and embrace Prime Minister Najib’s and the government’s wasatiyyah or principles of moderation in all aspects of our lives. Let’s unite with all who believe in adopting and promoting the Moderate Malaysian Way of Life, now and in the future.

And let’s make sure wasatiyyah really works and show the world Malaysia Boleh.

RAMON NAVARATNAM is chairperson of Asli/Centre for Public Policy Studies.