“This is the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s pride. If there is no respect for the BN and Umno, who else will respect them? Barisan Nasional has won the election, therefore the appointment by the coalition party should not be questioned.”
Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, on Raja Perlis Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail’s decision to appoint Bintong assemblyperson Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as Perlis Menteri Besar following the March 2008 general election. Shahidan speculated that other BN politicians had a hand in influencing the palace (Source: BN members behind decision, says Shahidan, The Star, 14 March 2008).
Shahidan was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s choice for Perlis MB, and had previously served in that capacity. He was later rebuked by the Perlis royalty for his disrespect.
“The palace has to accept Barisan Nasional’s decision as it is in accordance with our constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democratic system.”
Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, criticising Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin’s surprise decision to appoint Kijal assemblyperson Datuk Ahmad Said as Terengganu Menteri Besar, after a 14-day deliberation. The state’s Umno leaders, in retaliation, stripped Ahmad Said of his party membership, and threatened to boycott the swearing-in ceremony (Source: MB crisis deepens in Terengganu, Malaysiakini, 23 March 2008).
Like Shahidan, Idris was the former MB for his state. Prime Minister Abdullah decried Sultan’s decision as unconstitutional, but later relented.
“Surely you can’t question the wisdom of Sultan Azlan Shah. His decision has to be respected…this certainly can be seen as tainting the name of the Sultan and an act of treason.”
Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, chastising DAP chairperson Karpal Singh for wanting to take legal action against the Perak ruler, Sultan Azlan Shah. The monarch had assented to a BN take-over of the state (It’s treason, says Muhyiddin, The Star, 8 Feb 2009).
Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz called Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s refusal to resign as Perak MB as “wanton disrespect towards the ruler”. Umno Youth led a demonstration in defence of the Sultan’s honour, where placards bearing slogans like “Don’t Insult Our Ruler”, “Drive Nizar Out of Perak” and “Daulat Tuanku” were sighted.
Eric says
The Nut Graph is my hero. I had planned to look for these for a while, but malaslah. Terima kasih to the whole team!
ron says
Increasingly it seems to me that the Federal Constitution is just like many religious texts in the way it can be invoked to defend all sorts of contradicting opinions.
Socratestes says
If rulers want the respect that they deserve, they must stay out of politics. This is a sine qua non for constitutional monarchs everywhere. The crown prince himself said this as did his father much earlier. Question: Did the ruler bring this upon himself?
If Umno loves the ruler so much, it should have done its utmost to win the government by means fair and foul (the latter mostly) and insisted that the ruler not involve himself in a matter that would expose him to criticism. Question: Is Umno really “loyal” to the ruler if it does not do this basic thing and, indeed, politicises the issue?
aiyo says
Ya, it all depends on which side of the fence you are sitting.
Treason if you are on the wrong side.
Kelantanese Boy says
Where were Shahidan, Rafidah, Abdullah Badawi when Annuar Musa installed a new Kelantanese sultan?
It seems that in Malaysia, there is one rule for Umno and another for non-Umno. It is all too plain for all to see. Cut the mumbo jumbo and BS. Umno created all this mess – stop pointing fingers at everyone else but yourself!
abubaker says
The lawyers and law experts speak in terms of law. The politicians speak in terms of their FEELINGS. Let the lawyers speak laws. Let the politicions express ther feelings. NO Malaysian should utilise racial-felling to gain their political publicity, if they claim that they BELIEVE in GOD. Otherwise: Do not claim that they belonged to any religion. It is a waste of time to argue and defend things with people who do not understand and comprehend what they are doing.
Sonja Inc says
I was hoping for a piece of the “Natang” issue to be referred to in this article. .. but hey, I guess it’s good enough as is. Great job, Nut Graph!