Two Sultans, a Raja Muda and the dividing wedge

This is what Sultan Azlan Shah had to say in his address at the 14th Malaysian Law Conference in October 2007.

“All countries, including those that are totalitarian regimes, have courts. But as I observed previously, ‘The existence of courts and judges in every ordered society proves nothing; it is their quality, their independence, and their powers that matter’.”

The Sultan observed that “In matters concerning the judiciary, it is the public perception of the judiciary that ultimately matters. A judiciary loses its value and service to the community if there is no public confidence in its decision-making”.

Perak’s Raja Muda, who holds a doctorate in Political Economy and Government from Harvard, echoes his father’s sentiments.

In his keynote address at a National Integrity Day opening, Raja Nazrin said, “Generally, the Rulers act based on the advice by government leaders elected by the people. Nevertheless, the Rulers cannot accede to acts which do not symbolise justice or sanction moves which do not mirror truth.

“The Rulers' views, observation and counsel in the administrative affairs of the country touching on the question of integrity which encompasses justice, law, judiciary, misappropriation, power abuse, corruption and wealth distribution, are with the desire to strengthening the Government so that it is stable and receives people's trust.”

During one of the Perak awards ceremony in conjunction with his birthday celebration, Sultan Azlan reinforced the message: “The rulers have a far wider responsibility in ensuring that the spirit of the Constitution, the philosophy behind the written law, and the interest of the country and the people are safeguarded at all times.”

However, the spontaneous admiration and respect for Perak’s royal household came under exceptional pressure when Prime minister Najib Abdul Razak conspired with the state secretary, and successfully ousted Pakatan mentri besar Nizar Jamaluddin.

His Highness’s subjects never fully recovered from that ordeal and amidst the chaotic scenes at the palace and the state secretariat, the public was perhaps scarred forever.

Najib’s greed, had shaped the minds of a younger nation who realise that the trappings of power goes beyond the question of a personal choice or even the question of a popularity contest.

Umno/BN’s interference caused many Perakians to question their sense of duty and tradition and whether they should stray from their previous blind deference of the past.

Private secretary to the Sultan of Selangor, Mohamad Munir Bani, appears intent on playing his role in staging a repeat performance of the Perak debacle, this time in Selangor.

Munir and Najib should desist from including the Sultan of Selangor in any of their tactics to bring down the Selangor government.

Rulers need their subjects too and it would be unfortunate if Najib succeeded in driving a wedge between the royal household and its civilians.

Only one person has the key to unlock this impasse, but he is supposed to be above politics.

Najib's obstinacy might perhaps be remembered in the future as a staging post for casting doubt on many of the things that we hold dear. - Malaysia Chronicle