Abstract
Unlike many Middle Eastern states which have unequivocally resorted to repression to outflank Islamist opposition, Malaysia’s response to Islamic resurgence since the formative decade of 1980s has typically combined cautious encouragement of official dakwah (missionary effort) and checks on activities of independent Islamist groups so as to minimize possibilities of violence. Coercion was employed only as a temporary measure. Enjoying a relatively buoyant economy, problems such as mass demonstrations, riots, “terror” campaigns and assassination attempts, have largely eluded Malaysia. The state's strategy of coopting major Islamists and committing itself to an Islamisation programme has added to the regime's legitimacy. Previously strident Islamists have decided to discard their anti-establishment image and pursue their Islamic state ambitions through channels acceptable to the dominant political elite. Islamists' verbal and tacit espousal of Islamisation signal the fruition of the state's accommodationist strategy which, in turn, has obviated the need for Islamists to indulge in fifth-column activities. In turn, the mellowing of mainstream Islamist trends have convinced the state that the continuance of piecemeal Islamisation features, coupled with ambiguous assurances as to its long-term intentions of guiding the nation towards a modern Islamic polity, are sufficient to contain the sociopolitical influence of Islamic movements.
