What's next in Malaysia's Allah row?

What's next in Malaysia's Allah row?
Tue Jan 5, 2010

ARE RELIGIOUS TENSIONS IN MALAYSIA AN INVESTMENT RISK?

Not directly. Religious disputes are a risk mostly in their potential to increase ethnic tensions, with the biggest fear being a repeat of ethnic clashes that took place in 1969.

Some investors are concerned over the increasing Islamisation of Malaysia as a potential market risk.

During a meeting with investors in New York last year Najib, was asked about the government's stand over the caning sentence meted out to a Muslim woman for drinking beer under rarely-enforced Islamic criminal laws.

An escalation of religious tensions in Malaysia could weaken Najib's ability to push through economic reforms aimed at boosting foreign investment.


IS THERE A RISK OF ETHNIC CLASHES?

The risk is very small. The bloody 1969 clashes left a deep scar on the national psyche.

Any signs of trouble would see the government use the Internal Security Act that allows detention without trial.

While there are likely to be protests organised by fringe groups, there is no real risk of attacks on churches or other places of worship.

(Editing by Alex Richardson)

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-45153020100105?pageNumber=4&virtualBrandChannel=0


Sadly, despite the journalist's prediction, some attacks on churches occurred a week after.