Don’t drag monarchy into contentious issues, says Raja Perlis
(The Star) – The royal institution should not be dragged into provocative issues that may stir up emotions to benefit certain quarters, said the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail.
During a speech at a seminar here, he said the royal institution was aware of current issues that were deemed sensitive and might pose a challenge to the country’s sovereignty.
He stressed that peace and harmony must prevail and sanctity of the Federal Constitution be maintained.
“Do not drag this institution with uncontrollable emotions just to please a few and having to tarnish the sanctity of the Constitution,” he said in his address at the Royal Institution Seminar (SIRaj) here yesterday.
It was organised by the Universiti Malaysia Perlis and the Malaysian Royal Institution Research Centre.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said education was a good medicine for tackling the problem of a handful of Malaysians who did not respect the royal institution.
“A wider exposure on the role of the constitutional monarchy should be taught early in school to ensure that the royal institution is respected,” he added.
He noted that under the Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers were empowered to appoint the Prime Minister and mentris besar and could give advice and provide guidance to federal and state leaders.
He added that loyalty to the King and country was also listed as the second principle in the Rukun Negara.
Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said the royal institution played an important role as a social glue to unite all Malaysians regardless of race or religion.
In his keynote address titled “Constitution and Islam: The Role of the Royal Institution”, he said the nation’s political landscape had been facing changes since the 12th general election.
“It has been said that a political tsunami has happened and the country is said to be heading further towards a two-party political scenario,” he added.
This scenario, he said, had the potential to bring a positive impact while the democratic process would flourish if it was carried out in an orderly and wise manner, with proper respect accorded to the Constitution and the law.
“However, it seems that the methods towards this scenario have ignited a wave of discord.
“Citizens seem to be increasingly detached from each other, so much so that the bastion of unity seems to have been shattered.
“More worryingly, this rift has been allowed to happen on the basis that it is about one’s religion and race,” he said.
Raja Nazrin said the Perak sultanate was closely monitoring and studying the current situation in the country.
