Malaysia today

Malaysia is one of the south-east Asia's most vibrant economies. It is supposed to be very secular, in spite of the fact that it is an Islamic republic with a majority of muslim population in most of its states and an economically-powerful Chinese and not so well off Indian communities. It is one of the region's most popular key tourist destinations, offering excellent beaches, brilliant scenery and dense rainforests in the eastern states.

Ethnic Malays comprise some 60% of the population. Chinese constitute around 25%; Indians around 10% and indigenous peoples make up the rest. The communities used to coexist in relative harmony.

Now, the country is facing serious challenge - politically in the form of sustaining stability in the face of religious differences. The country seems to come under the influence of muslim religious fundamentalists. The Indian communities, living in Malaysia for generations, are targeted. The Tamils seem to be facing racial discrimination. It is time that the rulers take measures to protect the country from international criticism for human right violations, which will ultimately affect one of the major money earning industries for the country, i.e. tourism.