http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/raja-bomoh-wanted-police-religious-department-malaysia-dpm
Raja bomoh rituals while hilarious to educated city dwellers actually is good in a way as it shows Malaysia is still a moderate Muslim country despite extremist elements trying to make it more Islamic. If this bomoh things are disallowed, then the Chinese and Indian minorities need to worry as their Taoist and Hindu faiths are also pagan and full of rituals. Moreover, this Raja Bomoh actually defy the Arabisation of Malay society today by preserving pre islamic traditional Malay culture and animist beliefs, wearing the songkok instead of the islamic skull cap and wearing western suit instead of Arab dresses. According to a ethnic chinese friend across the causeway, bomohs are open to conduct rituals to 'help' anyone regardless of race or religion and with no demand for exorbitant fees like some Chinese fengshui masters.
Ironically, many Chinese Malaysians are laughing at him and even support the Islamic authorities to arrest him. It is like inviting the religious enforcers to arrest them next time as they conduct their rituals. Quite sad to see these people not to be able to see the parallel....
Raja bomoh rituals while hilarious to educated city dwellers actually is good in a way as it shows Malaysia is still a moderate Muslim country despite extremist elements trying to make it more Islamic. If this bomoh things are disallowed, then the Chinese and Indian minorities need to worry as their Taoist and Hindu faiths are also pagan and full of rituals. Moreover, this Raja Bomoh actually defy the Arabisation of Malay society today by preserving pre islamic traditional Malay culture and animist beliefs, wearing the songkok instead of the islamic skull cap and wearing western suit instead of Arab dresses. According to a ethnic chinese friend across the causeway, bomohs are open to conduct rituals to 'help' anyone regardless of race or religion and with no demand for exorbitant fees like some Chinese fengshui masters.
Ironically, many Chinese Malaysians are laughing at him and even support the Islamic authorities to arrest him. It is like inviting the religious enforcers to arrest them next time as they conduct their rituals. Quite sad to see these people not to be able to see the parallel....