SINGAPORE -- Malaysia's ruling National Front coalition government has withdrawn from circulation a booklet "Malaysia Is an Islamic Country" to allay growing fears among the significant non-Muslim minority that the multiracial country which tolerates many faiths would be turned into an Islamic state.
But the move falls short of a public declaration that the controversial booklet, which spelled out the guidelines on how Malaysia could slowly become an Islamic state, would not be reintroduced again.
The ambiguity disappointed non-Muslims, who are mainly Chinese and Indians, who had hoped for a clearer stance.