Malaysia’s sultans decry intolerance in rare joint statement after ‘Muslim only’ launderette controversy
Launderettes in two Malaysian states banned non-Muslim customers but later reversed the decision
Malaysia’s nine state sultans have issued a rare statement expressing concern about “divisive actions” in the name of Islam, as fears grow of rising intolerance in the multi-ethnic country.
“The Malay rulers take very seriously the issues of unity and harmony among the citizens of this multi-ethnic and multi-religious country,” they said in a joint statement late Tuesday.
About 60 per cent of Malaysia’s population of some 30 million are Muslim Malays and the country is also home to sizeable Christian, Buddhist and Hindu minorities.
The statement said recent actions of certain individuals had “gone beyond all acceptable standards of decency”, and that such actions could be damaging “when they are erroneously associated with or committed in the name of Islam”.
The launderettes in the states of Johor and Perlis eventually agreed to serve all customers regardless of their religion after they were condemned by the state sultans.
“As a religion that encourages its followers to be respectful, moderate and inclusive, the reputation of Islam must not ever be tainted by the divisive actions of certain groups or individuals,” the sultans said.
The statement came ahead of their annual Conference of Rulers.
The launderette controversy was the latest incident to stoke concerns that a traditionally tolerant brand of Islam is being eroded by the growing influence of fringe hardliners and conservative politicians.
A parliamentary democracy, Malaysia has a unique system in which Islamic sultans serve as the ceremonial heads of nine of the country’s 13 states, alternating as the nation’s figurehead king every five years.
The sultans have no formal power, rarely dabble in politics, and their proclamations are not binding.
But the centuries-old royal families are accorded great respect as symbols of Malaysia’s heritage and guardians of the Islamic faith in the country.