Lest we forget
By Terence Fernandez (Down2Earth – The Sun)
STREET demonstrations have always been a "no-no" in this country but thanks to a more tolerant prime minister and administration, public protests have been the next big thing since Mawi.
However, this show of emotion must be held on the right platform and the demonstrators must be well-versed with the issue as well as a little bit of history. The last thing we need is for the real issues to be blurred by personal and political agenda and for confused protesters to go off-tangent in raising their demands.
This is because at the end of the day, instead of resolving the matter, we will be saddled with more problems – perhaps graver than the original issue which was the subject of the protest in the first place.
So to all those baying for DAP national chairman Karpal Singh’s blood for voicing his intention to sue the Sultan of Perak, please be reminded that the only reason Karpal can even think of taking the ruler to court over His Royal Highness’s decision not to dissolve the state assembly is because the previous government under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had made it possible to do so.
It was the Mahathir administration which curbed the powers of the rulers and created the special courts to hear legal issues concerning the monarchy. It was the Mahathir administration and the then legislature which removed the immunity of the rulers through the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 1983 which also removed the power to declare an emergency from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and allowing the King only a month to assent to Bills – following which they automatically become law.
As head of religion, individual sultan’s prerogative to determine when Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated was also removed after rulers in Perak, Kedah and Pahang had (on separate occasions) declared different dates from the rest of country for the beginning and ending of the fasting month.
Looking at the environment in which this "assault" on the monarchy was launched, Mahathir probably felt it was a necessary evil. Even so, there were many who had accused the good doctor then of "menderhaka".
Thus in the present scenario, as a matter of principle – and I’m sure the demonstrators are very principled – these accusations of "menderhaka" cannot be levelled against only Karpal but also against all those who like Karpal had challenged the authority and supremacy of the Malay rulers.
And let us be reminded that even Hindraf had carried posters of the King, declaring loyalty to the monarchy when they took to the streets to seek equitable treatment for Indians. It underscores the fact that the monarchy belongs to all Malaysians and any racial undertones in declaring support for the sultan is unwarranted, dangerous and irresponsible.
Umno, especially, as the leader of the ruling coalition and nucleus of the executive would do well to educate its members and defuse whatever tensions and misunderstandings that may arise.
Sufficice to say most if not ALL Malaysians hold steadfastly to the second principle of the Rukunegara – "Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara" (Loyalty to King and Country).
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AS the Malay adage goes "sedikit-sedikit, lama lama jadi bukit" (little by little till you have a hill). In the case of critics of the method in which Perak changed hands, their patience and perseverance over the past week are now rewarded with two bukits. As the Election Commission gears up for two by-elections – one in Bukit Gantang, Perak, and the other in Bukit Selambau, Kedah – let’s hope for a fair fight and that whoever wins will not have the urge to hop to any side, even if "offers" are too darn hard to resist or "threats" are too serious to ignore.
At the end of the day, nothing compares to the support or the wrath of the people. Just ask Hee Yit Fong, whom I’m told is seriously mulling quitting politics for good.
Terence is all for by-elections, not buy elections. He is deputy editor (special reports & investigations). Feedback: [email protected]
