The Politics of Islam in Contemporary Malaysia.

The Politics of Islam in Contemporary Malaysia. 2002. ISBN 967-942-592-4. 260 hlm. RM40.00. KAMARULNIZAM ABDULLAH

This book focuses on two major Malay political parties, UMNO and PAS, two major dakwah movements, ABIM and Al-Arqam to analyse and to examine their
impact on Malaysian politics. The appealing nature of Islam as a political vehicle in the socio-political process has become a salient feature of Malaysian politics.
What is more interesting is the impact of dakwah phenomenon on Malay politics. This book explores the role of Islam in Malay society and politics and tries to
establish a systematic linkage between Islam and Malay unity. It explores and tries to construct what role Islam has in the concept of Malay unity and National
Security. It can be argued that since the Malays are the dominant group in the country, the weakening of Malay unity could conceivably threaten the country's
socio-political slashes UMNO and PAS by using parochial approaches of Islamic political language to garner mass support is a worrying development. Furthermore,
dakwah movements, that claim to be a political, also play a crucial role. The involvement of these movements in several general elections and recently the reformasi
movement, shows that their activities have become more politicised.

KAMARULNIZAM ABDULLAH, Ph. D., is a lecturer in Security Studies at the Strategic and International Relations Program, School of History, Politics and
Strategic Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. His translated works include Pengenalan Pengajian Strategik:
Teknologi Ketenteraan dan Hubungan Antarabangsa (Penerbit UKM, 2001).

Published by:

Penerbit UKM

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

43600, Bangi, Selangor,

Malaysia.

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