Sultan Abdullah to strengthen constitutional monarchy
Published on: Wednesday, July 24, 2019
By: Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: The installation of Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on July 30 is set to strengthen the constitutional monarchy system practised by Malaysia.
Former sociocultural advisor to the government Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim said while the system upholds the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the vertex of the nation’s sovereignty, it also ensures a balance in the power structure.
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“Our constitutional monarchy today is nothing like how the situation was during the pre-independence era when the rulers ruled as they pleased,” he said recently, adding that under Article 40 of the Federal Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong “shall act in accordance with the advice” of the Cabinet (usually the prime minister).
“This system (of government) practised by our country balances the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as ruler and that of the people, his subjects. The reciprocal role (of the ruler and the people) is vital in continuing this tradition.”
Rais, who was a former Minister of Information, Communication and Culture, said the election of Sultan Abdullah as Yang di-Pertuan Agong was in line with the will of the people as they were impressed with His Majesty’s friendly demeanour and concern for all strata of society.
“Tuanku is a very approachable person and this is a very good quality. As the rakyat, we hope Tuanku would be able to detect the shortcomings in our society and can voice out his views for the benefit of the people and the nation as a whole,” he said.
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Rais also hoped that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong would use his influence to safeguard social justice, peace and prosperity.
His Majesty, he added, should also be viewed as the key advisor in balancing political power to avoid being misused by any party which may undermine the harmony enjoyed by Malaysia’s multiracial society.
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Rais also hoped that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as supreme head of state, could bring forth resolutions and royal decrees that not only enhance the image of the institution of constitutional monarchy but also uphold the status of Bahasa Melayu as the national language and preserve Malay customs and heritage.
“Then, there is also Article 153 (of the Federal Constitution) that accords the Yang di-Pertuan Agong the responsibility to protect the interests of the Malays and bumiputeras, as well as the rights of the other races in accordance with existing provisions,” he said.
Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Department of Nationhood and Civilisation Studies senior lecturer Dr Mohd Mahadee Ismail said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was not only head of state but also the head of Islam and a symbol of the unity of the people of diverse ethnicities who live in this nation.
He said in Malaysia the installation ceremony of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was not something new as every five years, the supreme head of state is elected in accordance with the rotating succession system for the nine Malay rulers.
“The rotation system is a good one as it is fair and gives an equal chance to all the rulers to hold the office of Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said, adding that this was what that made Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy unique.
“No other country in this world practises such a system, which has helped our country to preserve and ensure the continuity of our unique constitutional monarchy system.”
Mohd Mahadee hoped that Sultan Abdullah would go on to propel good governance based on Islamic laws and as spelt out by the Conference of Rulers and provisions stated in the Federal Constitution.
The rakyat, on their part, should pledge their undivided loyalty to the King and the nation as outlined in one of the pillars of the Rukun Negara, ‘Loyalty to the King and Country’.
“The King must govern in a fair and equitable manner while the people must show their loyalty and contribute their best to the nation in terms of their capacity, expertise and skill.
“This matter is enshrined in a ‘waadat’ (agreement) as narrated in the Malay historical annals, that is, the ‘waadat’ between Sang Sapurba and Demang Lebar Daun. Under the oath of allegiance between Sang Sapurba (Malay Ruler) and Demang Lebar Daun (the Malay people), the people would not commit treason while the ruler would not punish them cruelly,” Mohd Mahadee explained.
Urging the people to refrain from hurling criticisms at the royal institution, more so on social media platforms, he said times may have changed and so has the government of this country but the institution of monarchy must remain unchanged as the monarch is seen as the embodiment of protection for the people.
Touching on the Malay phrase ‘Raja dan rakyat berpisah tiada’ (The ruler and his people cannot be parted), Mohd Mahadee felt that the sentiment related to this saying must be reignited to strengthen the ties between the ruler, particularly the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and the people.
“This saying was apt during the olden days when the people were close to the ruler and could voice out their complaints to him. However, the rift (between the ruler and the people) has grown over the years and it is not easy to get an audience with the ruler.
“The monarchy, perhaps, can take the initiative to meet the people more regularly so that the rulers can see for themselves the problems and struggles faced by the people,” he said.
As for news reports and social media posts about Sultan Abdullah’s interactions with the public, Mohd Mahadee said it was a good move towards efforts to restore the close relations between the ruler and the people.
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