Oldfart,

I may be mistaken, but it seems to me that it is a distinction without a difference. Indians and Chinese Malaysians are uniformly not Muslims. All ethnic Malays are Muslim as defined in the Malaysian constitution.

The constitution of Malaysia provides for a dual justice system—the secular laws (criminal and civil) and sharia laws. With regards to civil law, the sharia law courts have jurisdiction in personal law matters, for example, marriage, inheritance, and apostasy. They may impose fines and imprisonment.

The Constitution provides that "Every person has the right to profess and practice his religion". However in the case of Lina Joy—a Malay who converted to Christianity—the Federal Court of Malaysia refused to allow her to change her religion.

Note her ethnic - race - group. The analogy with apartheid is apt.

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Eudaimonia