Conference of Rulers urged to ‘take a stand’

(The Star) – The Kedah Royal Household Association will ask the Conference of Rulers to take a stand to prevent royalty from being challenged by any party.

Its president Datuk Tengku Zainol Rashid Tengku Yahya said that such a stand should be made to make sure that no one would try to tarnish the image of the Malay Rulers in future.

“I applaud the statement made by Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah who said that Rulers are above politics and so cannot take part in open debates to answer allegations hurled against them by political groups.

“Sultan Azlan Shah said this because he felt that there is too much politicking that would affect economic productivity and the country’s image internationally,” he said when asked to comment on Sultan Azlan Shah’s speech during his 81st birthday celebration at Istana Iskandariah, Perak on Sunday.

Sultan Azlan Shah had said that the actions of certain political groups in provoking people and sowing the seeds of hatred against the Rulers was akin to fanning embers in the chaff.

He was reported as saying that the misconception that the constitutional monarchy was just a symbol and devoid of power needed to be corrected, and that the Rulers were fully aware of what was going on in the country.

Tengku Zainol Rashid said that Sultan Azlan Shah’s statement showed that the Rulers could accept criticism but would not lured into open debates.

He said that the younger generation should realise the importance of the Rulers’ position in the country’s history and give them their due respect.