Indonesia and Malaysia have often been put forward as examples of modern and moderate Muslim states. While both have large Muslim majorities, they have cultivated a reputation for tolerance of the other religions that make up their complex social and ethnic fabric. Yet in both countries, there are signs that this tradition of strength through diversity is eroding and a more rigid interpretation of Islamic orthodoxy is taking shape.
In the aftermath of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo in Paris, how different faiths and ideas coexist is a pressing concern. One way is to strengthen the secular foundations of a nation by defending the right to believe what one believes and say what one wants to say. Another is to retreat from diversity and cede greater control over beliefs, customs and freedom of expression to a dominant orthodoxy. Regrettably, there are signs that in these two southeast Asian countries this path of least resistance is the one being taken.
Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. Some 87 per cent of its 250m people are Muslims, of which 99 per cent are Sunnis. About 10 per cent are Christians and 2 per cent Hindus and Buddhists. The constitution is nominally secular but the founding philosophy of Pancasila — meaning “five principles” — insists on monotheism, presumably an inconvenience to practising Hindus. Blasphemy is illegal and atheism unrecognised.