Taoism now recognised in MyKad (Malaysian Identity Card)

[north_malaysian]

PUTRAJAYA: Taoists who had their religion recorded as 'Buddhism' or 'Others' in their MyKad can get it corrected now.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Tan Chai Ho said Taoism had been included in the list of religions recognised on the MyKad after he brought the matter with the National Registeration Department (NRD).

Previously only five categories were recognised - Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism - while other religions were classified as "Others".

Tan, however, said little hitches were expected despite a circular being passed on the new rulings rcently and he advised Taoists to continue going back to NRD to get it rectified.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after meeting with members of Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia here, Tan said the matter was brought up with department following their complaints.

The federation had earlier this year submitted a memorandum expressing concerns over the lack of recognition for Taoism in Malaysia.

Its president Tan Bon Sin had been reported as saying that nearly 80% of their members were recorded as Buddhists or as having "no religion" in the NRD database despite writing "Taoism" in the religion column.

He had also expresed concern that the number of Taoists in the country was dwindling. Between 1980 and 1991, the number of Taoists in Malaysia had gone down by 39%.

The Star, 04.08.2006, page N14.

 

[Keltoi]

Taoism. I haven't that word in quite awhile. That is good that Taoism will be recognized. Can't say that I know much about the philosophy behind it, but if I remember correctly it was important in China a long time ago.

 

[north_malaysian]

Actually, I'm wondering why NRD not recognising Confucianism, Baha'i Faith, Jainism, Shintoism, Animism and Atheism yet!!!

 

[מדינת ישׂראל]

What exactly is Taoism? Is it like Budhism and developed in China?

 

[Keltoi]

If I remember correctly, it is more of a philosophy, moreso than a religion.

 

[ManchesterFolk]

Taoism is actually very interesting. I studied about it in comparitive religion.

 

[north_malaysian]

What exactly is Taoism? Is it like Budhism and developed in China?

Taoism is a religion introduced by Lao-Tse. He wrote a book called Tao Te Sung. The symbol usually used by Taoists are 'ying & Yang' or red swastika.

It's like a chinese folk religions involved lots of superstitious belief, 'Fengshui', "taichi" created by Taoism.

This month is a very busy month for Taoists in Malaysia as they're celebrating 'Hungry Ghost Festival' which they offers a lot for ancestors who are dead. Penang, particularly is the best place to observe this kind of practices.

Malaysian Chinese follows Mahayana Buddhism which also incorporated lots of Taoism and Confucianism in their belief. But there are Chinese who prefers to practice Taoism solely.

We Malaysians have to learn Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Hinduism and sikhism which is part of our education curriculum.
Schools also organize trips to these religions' house of worship.

I've been to Buddhist temples, Taoist temples, Confucian temples, Hindu temples and churches.

Taoists funeral service are so massive and elaborate. I know this because there are two Taoist families living by my house. When someone dead they'll host a big feast (for the dead) which includes roasted pigs (the bigger the better), lot's of 'pau' (chinese kind of bread) and some side dishes on a big table in front of their houses. Usually, it'll create traffic jams, but we are tolerant with it because we are accustomed to it. Then the Taoist priests will bless the food by circling the table with holding bells and make it ringing, followed by relatives. The mourners usually wears black or white dress. Then the mourners will wear 'gunny sack' on their head.

There are professional mourners which must be paid handsomely. The more wailing sound they made the higher the price.

 

[מדינת ישׂראל]

Taoists funeral service are so massive and elaborate. I know this because there are two Taoist families living by my house. When someone dead they'll host a big feast (for the dead) which includes roasted pigs (the bigger the better), lot's of 'pau' (chinese kind of bread) and some side dishes on a big table in front of their houses. Usually, it'll create traffic jams, but we are tolerant with it because we are accustomed to it.

Wow, its sounds almost like a 'celebration'

 

[north_malaysian]

Wow, its sounds almost like a 'celebration'

It's a feast for the deceased .... so lavish....

But the scene is not a celebration, because mourners wailing loudly..... so sad actually......

 

[AvarAllahNoor]

Don't they worship the dead?

 

[Fishman]

Actually, I'm wondering why NRD not recognising Confucianism, Baha'i Faith, Jainism, Shintoism, Animism and Atheism yet!!!

Why isn't Judaism on the list? Is that because of the dispute with Israel?

 

[brainiac]

Why do you need to state your religion on an identity card ? Who's business is it but yours ? Sounds 'fishy' to me.

 

[Dahir]

Why do you need to state your religion on an identity card ? Who's business is it but yours ? Sounds 'fishy' to me.

It is fishy and wrong. But as N_M has pointed out, Malaysia is very "ethnically aware," and its almost vital for the country to keep track of its people; many "Eastern" nations do this around the world; either to suppress uprising minorities or to create a strict caste system - its still awkward and wrong, reminds me of Nazi Germany and Rwanda circa 1994. +o(

 

[syilla]

Why do you need to state your religion on an identity card ? Who's business is it but yours ? Sounds 'fishy' to me.

because we have syariah law here in malaysia..but only for the muslims...

so anyone that doesn't fast during Ramadhan or do 'khalwat'...will be caught and fine...

 

[Zulkiflim]

Why isn't Judaism on the list? Is that because of the dispute with Israel?

Salaam,

Hmm curious...

Malaysia does not recognize Isreal not Jews..

So maybe there are Jews,if they want to enter Malaysia they cannot use their isrealis passport..

Since most jews have dual citizenship..so it is no biggie it hink

 

[north_malaysian]

Salaam,

Hmm curious...

Malaysia does not recognize Isreal not Jews..

So maybe there are Jews,if they want to enter Malaysia they cannot use their isrealis passport..

Since most jews have dual citizenship..so it is no biggie it hink

Malaysia have no diplomatic relationship with Israel.

Malaysia doesnt recognised Judaism in MyKad because ONLY 1 Malaysian Jewish family exists in Penang right now (hundreds of them migrated to Singapore and Australia) during World War 2 (because Japanese occupation discriminations and Communist insurgency).

There is a Jewish cemetery which is still being taken care off in Yahudi Road (now known as Jalan Zainal Abidin). The synagogue in Jalan Nagore is still exist but closed (because not enough people to perform prayers).

There are some history about Penangite Jewish community exhibited in Penang State Museum. So for me, at least Penang recognise Jewish community.

Furthermore, if we refer to "Atlas KBSM Fajar Bakti" (Official Atlas for Geography Class in Malaysian Public school) the maps show the word "Israel" and "Jerusalem" as its capital.... So Malaysia does recognise Israel (at least in Geography subject).

Actually Israelis can visit Malaysia using Israeli passport, so do Malaysians to visit Israel. Both citizens hace to obtain special permission from each country in order to visit it.

For example, Malaysians can enter Israel if they have religious pilgrimages such as Baha'is to Haifa, or Christians to holy sites in Israel.

 

[Keltoi]

I've learned quite a bit about Malaysia from "north_malaysians" posts. Just proof that you can actually learn something in a forum.

 

[therebbe]

Sadly there are Jewish cemetaries and Shuls in many places that are empty because of discrimination towards the Jews. Especially during WWII.

Poland use to have 3 Million Jews. Less than 5,000 live there today. Most died in the Holocaust.

 

[north_malaysian]

I've learned quite a bit about Malaysia from "north_malaysians" posts. Just proof that you can actually learn something in a forum.

Hey I've learnt lots about Judaism from Jewish forummers.... I dont even realise that there is something like 'Seven Laws of Noah' etc.

 

[north_malaysian]

Sadly there are Jewish cemetaries and Shuls in many places that are empty because of discrimination towards the Jews. Especially during WWII.

Poland use to have 3 Million Jews. Less than 5,000 live there today. Most died in the Holocaust.

With Jewish-Muslim tensions, I dont think that Malaysian Jews would come back to Penang. I've read an article somewhere mentioning that Penangite Jews speak a dialect which they called as "Penangite Hebrew". Basically it's Hebrew, with lots of words from Arabic, Malay, English and Hokkien (local Chinese dialect) languages. I think the language might be EXTINCT now.