KLANG, 13 Feb 2009: Following is the special press statement by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, released by Istana Alam Shah, here today:
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah
(Source: Wikipedia)Political developments, instances of street demonstrations, and disputes between various parties relating to the recent appointment of the new Perak state government, to the extent of displaying rudeness to the HRH Paduka Seri Sultan Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, have saddened and disappointed me.
The fact that HRH Paduka Seri Sultan Perak is my uncle (Sultan Azlan Shah’s father is my grandmother’s brother) adds to such sentiment.
In fact, both Royal families of these two states have a long-standing historical relationship that, till today, remains strong as ever.
HRH Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Shah, whom I know, is a very knowledgeable person with vast experiences in the legal and judiciary, appropriate with His Royal Highness’ former position as the Lord President of the Supreme Court (as it was then called).
His Royal Highness and the Royal family also have distinguished educational credentials and qualifications, and further are always sensitive to the needs of the people, so much so that most of His Royal Highness’ determinations were based on a knowledge culture, holistic (Syumul) considerations, and a consensus (Musyawarah) principle among the learned and experts suitable to them in any relevant issue.
What we have seen and are still seeing for the past week in Perak has prompted a concern among those who care so much for their religion, race, country, stability, well-being, civilisation, security and our future together.
Ignorance of the provisions of the state and federal laws, extreme partiality for certain quarters, loss of self control when emotions are disturbed, arrogance that blinded them from the rights and powers of HRH Paduka Seri Sultan Perak, the rudeness as subjects of the state of Perak and citizens of Malaysia, and their easiness in being influenced by the “mob” culture, are very disheartening and deeply embarrassing.
In light of this occurrence, a Malay proverb goes, “barulah kita kenal siapa kaca, siapa permata”.
In fact, now we could understand the truth inside those people who “marahkan nyamuk, kelambu dibakar” (angry at the mosquitoes, but the net is burnt).
I hereby wish to advise with the utmost sincerity by taking into consideration the future of the religion, Malaysian nation, and our beloved country.
Please do not be misled by actions and behaviours that will only disgrace our integrity, invite high risks to our process of progress, and eradicate the foundations of national sovereignty through the display of rudeness, treachery, arrogance, ignorance in knowledge and lust for power.
The Sultan’s Palace in Klang (Public domain; source: Wikipedia)
The increasingly worrying situation leading towards economic recession, both at the global and regional levels, warrants us to concretise our unity, though there are adversities in our viewpoints.
There are times when we can retract statements that were wrongly said, but these are precarious times where wrongful actions can lead to disastrous consequences.
To those who have repeatedly challenged the rights, roles, positions and prerogatives under the Federal Constitution, including the roles of the institution or Rulers, my advice is for the people to think carefully and evaluate deeply the consequences before taking any actions.
I pray to Allah the Almighty to place us in His loving care, and continue to shower us with a clear heart, peaceful soul, wiser thoughts, easier path, the right actions, harmonious relationship and strong self believe to manage the country together in facing future progress of our nation.
(His Royal Highness Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj)
The Sultan of Selangor
13 February 2009
dILA says
Does he doesn’t LISTEN what the people saying? Malaysians are generally very peaceful people. So there must be something VERY wrong if they start taking it to the streets.
Why doesn’t HRH learn what common people are saying?
Maozi says
Who prepared the statement for HRH?
Perhaps it is good for HRH to menitahkan this statement through TV or YouTube as what the British monarch is doing, then we can verify that the statement is really of HRH’s own view.
You know lah, nowadays even people preparing HRH’s statements could be from Umno.
Squartersland says
This is a better, neutral & educational view from HRH.
For the well being of the nation we need a fair solution to resolve the
entire issue.
SHANE says
I think nobody is against the royals. Nobody has say things like “down with the royals”. So far, what I heard and read while here in Indonesia is that people are asking for the mandate to be given to the Perakians to decide and leave the honourable royal institution out of the web of deceit made by politicians, be it from ruling or opposition. After all, politicians are politicians.
PM says
The issue of rudeness would have been a moot point if Sultan Azlan Shah had done the appropriate thing in dissolving the state assembly, and let democracy run its due course. If he has done so, he would have earned more kudos and respect from the rakyat instead of the current situation where everyone – both Ruler and Rakyat – is unhappy and feeling disappointed all round.