
300,000 COPIES DAILY
Toxic in a pg17
good way
Royal response
KUALA KANGSAR: Responding to allegations
hurled against rulers by political groups, Perak’s
Sultan Azlan Shah said yesterday that rulers
are above politics and cannot take part in open
debate to defend themselves.
He said the action of certain political groups
to provoke the people and sow seeds of hatred
against the rulers was akin to fanning “embers
in the chaff” which, he said, was a dangerous
act and could destroy the peace enjoyed by the
people and the country.
“These groups are allowing the end to
justify the means by condoning such acts.
These groups and individuals feel that they
are faultless and immune from any action,
to the extent of disregarding the law for
the sake of attaining power,” he said at the
loyalty pledge and investiture ceremony in Istana
Iskandariah to mark his 81st birthday.
Sultan Azlan also said he felt there was too
much politicking in the country and that this
would affect economic productivity and the
country’s image. “In facing the global economic
crisis, too much politicking is not helpful to the
people who are struggling to make ends meet.”
He said leaders of various political parties
should find a meeting point from which they
could work out ways to cooperate for the sake
of the country and people.
Sultan Azlan, a former Lord President, also
spoke on the need to correct the misconception
that the constitutional monarchy was just a
symbol devoid of any power.
He said the rulers were neither blind, deaf nor
mute. In fact, they were fully aware of what was
going on in the country. “It should be stressed the
constitutional monarchy has three rights – the
right to give views and counsel, the right to en-
courage and motivate, and the right to remind and
reprimand,” he said.
Sultan Azlan said although the constitutional
monarchy acted based on the power vested in
it under the constitution, it would be erroneous
to think that the role of a ruler was similar to
that of a president whose functions had been
pre-defined in the constitution.
“The role of the constitutional monarchy
Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations (Malaysia)
30 SEN for delivery to your doorstep
Award winning newspaper
for public service reporting
and opinion writing.
No. 4741 PP 2644/12/2009 (023092)
Monday
April 20, 2009
TELLING IT AS IT IS www.sun2surf.com
» Lim leads, but Anwar decides pg2 » Helping Real stay on Barcelona’s heels pg29 sports
SULTAN: DANGEROUS FOR POLITICAL GROUPS
TO SOW HATRED AGAINST RULERS
‘To do’ list
for the PM
by Tan Yi Liang
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PETALING JAYA: Kill corruption. Promote
fairness in all policies. Enhance efficiency in
governance. Raise standard of education.
These are the most frequently mentioned
tasks that readers of theSun want Datuk Seri
Najib Abdul Razak to give priority to during
his tenure as the 6th prime minister.
The responses were in answer to an
invitation to readers to list the top three
goes beyond what is stipulated in the constitu- things they want Najib and his cabinet to
tion. The rulers have a far wider responsibility tackle first, especially against the backdrop
in ensuring that the spirit of the constitution, of a grim global economy.
the philosophy behind the written law, and Most of the respondents wanted a clean,
the interest of the country and the people are efficient and fair government, as these are
safeguarded at all times,” he said. the elements that need to be in place before
He said based on the spirit behind the the nation can be taken to greater heights.
formation of the Federation of the Malay States, They also wanted education to be a main
the rulers were responsible to protect the privi- agenda, with one respondent describing it as
leges and position of the Rulers Institution, Islam, “the nurturing bed of the nation”.
the Malay language and the legitimate interest of “With good education, the people will be
other races. “These are the basis of understand- progressive; it will be the shield and sword
ing and the ingredients which resulted in the for the nation as the world gets inevitably
formation of an independent and sovereign smaller and globalised,” said Robert Lim.
nation, enabling its people to live in peace and Other big “winners” were the need to pro-
harmony.” mote greater democratic discourse through
Sultan Azlan said throughout Malaysia’s a free press, and an independent judiciary.
52 years of nationhood, the country’s ad- Making Malaysia a safer place to live
ministration had seen its ups and downs. and work in by reducing the crime rate, and
“I myself have been giving views and improving the standard of living, were also
advice either openly or behind closed doors on popular “tasks”.
matters which I think should be rectified.” The following are some excerpts:
He called on the people to be wary of
bids to provoke them into dismantling the sys-
tem and institution as this could create chaos. FAIR-MINDED INSTITUTIONS
Perak has been immersed in a political » “The PM should promote truly independ-
imbroglio since February when the Barisan ent, professional and fair-minded govern-
Nasional seized power after four assemblymen ment institutions that are not beholden to
swithched allegiance from the Pakatan Rakyat. any political power at both federal and state
The previous government’s leaders have fought government levels, but that these govern-
tooth and nail to frustrate the new administra- ment institutions be fully committed to
tion by filing legal action and challenging the serve the tax-paying rakyat professionally,
BN-led government’s legitimacy. – Bernama efficiently and courteously,” said “All-for-one
& one-for-all Malaysian”.
These groups are allowing the end to justify the » “Be truthful and fair ... in your execution
of duty and serve genuinely all Malaysian
means by condoning such acts. These groups irrespective of their political ideologies,” said
Sritharan Palanisamy.
and individuals feel that they are faultless and
CORRUPTION
immune from any action, to the extent of disregarding » “Corruption must be curbed. Datuk Seri
the law for the sake of attaining power.” must make sure the cabinet is clean, hard-
working and walk the talk. We will get sad
– Sultan Azlan Shah and sakit hati if corruption is still rampant.
I urge Datuk Seri to focus on winning back
» Raja Nazrin resolute in defending Malay rulers – page 3 » Turn to Page 3