National Identification Card System and Bumiputra
To identify citizens that qualify for the status of Bumiputra, Malaysia requires citizens to carry a national identification card called MyKad. Smart Cards identify citizens by race and religion. Any Western Malaysian citizen apparently can opt into the system simply by proclaiming him/herself to being Muslim.
Under Article 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia a Malay is defined as being:
- a Malaysian citizen born to a Malaysian citizen who professes to be a Muslim - habitually speaks the Malay language - adheres to Malay customs - and is domiciled in Malaysia or Singapore
However, opting out of the system is a different matter as demonstrated by Lina Joy's six year court battle. Joy's request to change the religion listed on her MyKad was denied by Malaysia's Supreme Court in 2007.
"Malaysia's constitution guarantees freedom of worship but says all ethnic Malays are Muslim. Under Sharia law, Muslims are not allowed to convert. "
Read more about this topic: Bumiputera (Malaysia)
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