The majority of Malaysian citizens are Muslim, but to say that our country exists as an Islamic country is over-stating the fact.

Malaysia is defined by its constitution, not the religion of its majority citizens. Our government may have instituted many policies in line with Islamic teachings, but o­nly as far as they do not contradict the constitution. As such, Malaysia is not an Islamic country any more than Britain is a Christian country.

Islamic laws o­nly governs a portion of citizens, the constitution applies to all Malaysians. To define the whole based o­n the part is missing the forest for the trees.

The constitution is the sole supreme law of the land. The fact that it grants Islam the status of official religion lends credence to the constitution's supremacy. Anyone who quotes the constitution to justify their stand that Malaysia is an Islamic country o­nly succeed in contradicting themselves.

The o­nly way that Malaysia can be called an Islamic country is if the constitution is abolished and replaced by Syariah laws. That scenario is as likely to happen as a non-Malay taking the helm of the government.