Is Malaysia Capable Of Evolving?

by Zurairi AR on 06/11/2009

in Opinions

evolution

Originally appeared in PopIN.

Google “Malaysia” and “evolusi” together, and the first link that comes out is for “racing”-flick Evolusi KL Drift. FML.

This is where tackling the issue of evolution in Malaysia becomes rather tricky—it’s rarely because so many people oppose it. We just don’t talk about it much.

So let me get the ball rolling. What is evolution anyway?

To put it simply, theory of evolution explains how animals and plants change over time. This process of change is driven by a concept called natural selection, which means whichever species suits their environment best, will survive better on the average. To survive better, these animals and plants will adapt and change, causing variations after billions of years.

So why don’t we talk about it much? Chiefly it’s because the two main Abrahamic religions in Malaysia, Islam and Christianity are very much sensitive on the origin of human.

It’s understandable for Christians who believe in the Young Earth creationism (i.e. Earth was created in six days, and is only about a few thousand years old), but for Muslims, it’s simply baffling. Most would accept that the Big Bang did happen and billions-year-old fossils are real, but the mere mention of men descending from apes would make some go bonkers.

I have heard many instances of our students overseas who refuse outright to attend evolution classes, like the very act of learning is blasphemous.

Let me assure you, evolution does not even suggest that men came from apes, but that’s a story for another day.

Of course, there are attempts to reconcile evolution and creationism [English version]—an attempt which I think is futile at best—but isn’t it a wonder why this isn’t discussed more? Instead, authorities try their best to hush this up so there won’t be more who will question the status quo (just like they do with everything else).

Why are we, as a country, still in denial on evolution? It is the basis of modern biology, and one of the most important concepts in science. Just imagine the madness if the government suddenly decides to teach that the world is flat, or the Sun revolves around Earth!

Time and time again, why do we keep dismissing the theory of evolution, considering how much it affects our very lives? If we can’t agree on it, let’s at least talk about it more.

So, intelligent readers of PopIN, do you reject evolution? Or do you believe in the theory? Are you mostly confused? Do you think that there might be truth in it, but are still unconvinced? Do you think I’m talking total bullshit?

We would love to know what your views are on this controversial topic. Drop by our discussion board on the newly launched Unscientific Malaysia Facebook fan page and put forward your opinions! Hop on!

Tagged as: education, evolution, natural selection, PopIN, religion, schools, science

  • Karthiben

    I think the issue with Muslims and evolution is the fact that humans are special in Islam. We have “akal”, reasoning ability and that separates us from the beasts. The fact that we came from ape-like ancestors or even that we have a common ancestor makes evolution unacceptable to Islam.

    • http://zurairifm.wordpress.com Zurairi AR

      Not to mention being the khalifah/leader of the whole world.

  • http://chengjustcheng.blogspot.com/ Cheng

    I daresay the reason evolution isn’t discussed much in Malaysia is simply because not enough people care, which in turn is rooted in our education system, in which science is reduced to a collection of facts to be regurgitated and forgotten not 5 minutes after leaving the exam hall. Let’s face it, most Malaysian parents just see science as an opportunity to pick up a couple more ‘A’s on the way to university, where one is expected to be either an engineer, a doctor, a lawyer or an aspiring cubicle jockey. As someone with a degree in Physics who’s worked in Cubicleland for 3 years, let me tell you, the average Malaysian’s ignorance in science and blithe pursuit of profit really saps one’s will to live.

    On the one hand, I place great value on scientific literacy and the virtues of the empirical method. Anyone who’s read Sagan or Dawkins will know how much more beautiful the universe is through the lens of science. But on the other hand, I’m really not sure how to drag out the katak from under the tempurung of Malaysia’s special brand of anti-intellectualism.

    Creationism and it’s dressed up cousin, Intelligent Design, are outright idiocy. There is no Creation vs Evolution debate, and to insist that there is one or that they can be “reconciled” is a waste of time. It seems to me here that the root of the problem is a near total lack of public interest in science in general, not just evolution and until this matter is addressed, public opinion on evolution will be the least of our worries.

  • bakke

    @Cheng

    Exactly my thoughts! IMHO we are no where near to being an intellectual (let alone scientific) community. And yes, I think the education system have a lot to do with this too. The conspiracy theorist in me is suggesting that the education system was made that way so we dont ask questions much, forever content with what we have been given, but I digress.

    The irony is that people, not just biologist, know and apply concepts (e.g. survival of the fittest) from Darwin’s theory without even realising this.

    So to answer the question if Malaysia capable of evolving, this is my take. The way we are (currently) educated, not many of us are going to be global players and although we will still get heaps of knowledge and information from outside, little will be useful to us and our pretty much fixed lifestyle. So in this light we don’t need to change BUT this is at the expense of building a scientific culture. A culture that promotes inquisitive minds and rational thinking. Are we capable of change? Of course. Thanks to the internet I know at least I’m not alone. Plus, a lot of people are following this site so that’s a good sign. Let’s hope the community will keep on growing.

  • http://intensedebate.com/profiles/sharudin Pak Din 31

    P507 Obama dan duit Amerika
    Julai 16, 2010
    1. Sejak akhir-akhir ini saya banyak menyelami tentang Amerika, bukan kerana suka dengan apa yang mereka buat, tetapi kerana apa yang Sunnah Allah benarkan mereka buat. Bayangkan Melayu bertapak di Melaka sejak 1500 dan Amerika baru mencapai kemerdekaan 1777. Kerana kebijaksanaan Melayu memerintah Melaka, kemudian Portugis, Belanda dan Inggeris sempat menjajah Melaka dan Malaya, sedangkan Amerika terus berkembang pesat tanpa dijajah. Salah siapa?

    2. Hutan yang diberikan kepada Orang Amerika adalah jenis yang agak serupa dengan hutan yang diberikan kepada Orang Melayu di Malaya. Tidak adil kalau dikatakan Orang Amerika diberikan kepintaran yang lebih baik dari Orang Melayu, tetapi usaha (mengikut Kadar KententuanNya) yang lebih, menukar hutan belantara di Amerika menjadi sebuah negara yang maju, mengalahkan semua negara-negara lain di Europah, dalam masa yang singkat. Kuasa ekonomi dari kosong menjadi terbesar di Dunia sekarang ini.

    3. Tidakkah kita membaca apa yang Allah tarbiahkan pada kita di sini? Atau kita merasakan Amerika itu negara Yahudi, maka kita tidak perlu masukkan ia sebagai contoh yang didatangkan oleh Allah? Semua tamaddun yang telah terbena sejak 5000 tahun dahulu, kalah dengan pencapaian yang dibuat oleh Amerika. Mereka juga percayakan Tuhan, sehinggakan di atas wang kertas ada peringatan itu. Dan Sunnah Allah pastinya terlibat ai atas kejayaan yang mereka capai.

    4. Akhirnya melalui Obama reformasi sistem kewangan Amerika berlaku. (NYR Blog, Yahoo, NT) Walaupaun ramai antara kita yang telah menyampah dengan berita sebegini, pada saya ianya perlu kita ketahui bagi memastikan kita memeahami apa yang mereka sedang lakukan, bagi memastikan kemudian kita dapat mengambil tindakan mengawal kedudukan kewangan kita. Matawang USD telah menjadi alat untuk merompak kekayaan kita, dan kita masih menutup indra untuk tidak mahu mengambil tahu. Hanya bersemangat untuk membakar bendera.

    5. Kejayaan menyekat sistem kewangan (dari berbuat apa yang mereka suka) sedikit sebanyak akan memastikan ekonomi Amerika akan kurang bersin, kerana setip kali Amerika bersin, kita (negara membangun dan yang lainnya) semua demam terduduk. Malagnya baik dari demam, perangai tidak berubah kerana tidak mahu mengambil tahu bahawa tarbiah Allah sedang dilaksanakan kepada mereka. Tidak harianlah kalau akhirnya Allah mematikan pintu minda mereka.

    6. Sebenarnya Amerika mengakui ekonomi mereka juga tenat, tetapi dengan konsep work smart, mereka pandai membahagikan ketenatan mereka kepada Dunia. Hasilnya sebagai contoh, sebahagian dari wang pencen saya (dan …) mengalir untuk membayar harga Perang Teluk dan sebahagian untuk membayar gaji Orang Amerika. Dengan hanya memuslimkan sistem perbankan yang ada sekarang, tanpa dapat bersatu membentuk sistem matawang sendiri, kita hanya terus meletak leher kita kepada mereka.

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