Ex-deputy unity minister hails Amirudin’s call against selective loyalty

 Ti Lian Ker says Malaysia needs more leaders who are willing to defend their principles.

Former deputy unity minister Ti Lian Ker said the real struggle is about who governs with honesty, responsibility, and integrity for the sake of the people. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A former deputy unity minister has hailed Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari’s call for parties not to practise selective loyalty to Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, calling it courageous and rare.

Ti Lian Ker said that in a polarised political landscape filled with extreme rhetoric, Amirudin had chosen to “speak based on principle, not political market demand”.

“Whether one agrees with his politics or not, the courage to speak consistently for national stability and social harmony deserves recognition and respect.

“Malaysia needs more leaders willing to defend principles even when it is unpopular – not leaders who merely follow the demands of political theatre and populist sentiment,” he said in a Facebook post.

Amirudin said yesterday that certain parties would use the pretence of defending the royal institution, race, or religion when they were actually looking to bolster their political position.

These same quarters change their tune when the situation is unfavourable to their interests, he added.

Amirudin was believed to be referring to Perikatan Nasional election director Sanusi Nor, who was charged in 2023 with insulting Sultan Sharafuddin and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Sanusi, the Kedah menteri besar, was initially charged with two counts of sedition, but was acquitted of the charge involving the Selangor ruler after apologising to the sultan.

Earlier this week, Sultan Sharafuddin called for DAP assemblyman Wong Siew Ki and former DAP leader Ronnie Liu to better understand the Rukun Negara and respect the royal institution, following their response to his call for a complete end to pig farming in the state.

DAP’s former Damansara MP Tony Pua then said the powers of the monarch were strictly limited to defined aspects such as Malay customs, Islam, and constitutional roles, prompting brickbats from Umno and PAS leaders as well as a police investigation.

Ti warned against using race, religion, or institutions as an excuse to seize, exploit, loot, or legitimise rent-seeking practices for the benefit of the elites or certain groups.

He said the real struggle was not about who shouts the loudest in the name of race, religion, or royalty, but who governs with honesty, responsibility, and integrity for the sake of the people.

“Exploiting public sentiment in the name of ‘struggle’ is itself contrary to the moral and religious principles of justice, trust, and accountability,” he said. - FMT