An Amanah leader cautioned political actors against exploiting the Selangor ruler’s recent royal address on the Rukun Negara, saying it is highly inappropriate for any party to twist Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s advice for personal or political gain.
In a statement today, Selangor Amanah communications director Abbas Azmi said that all parties should remain open-minded and understand the message conveyed in each of the sultan’s addresses.
“The royal address of the Selangor sultan should be taken as valuable advice, much like a father’s advice to his children.
“There is no benefit to any party attempting to exploit the sultan’s address, other than to worsen the situation and possibly to pursue political popularity alone. There are limits to politics,” Abbas (above) said.
He added that the focus should be on strengthening the state and the nation, which face challenges from the global economic crisis, as well as people’s welfare.
Abbas pointed to the Selangor government’s announcement of an RM131 million economic stimulus package to mitigate the impact of global and regional economic pressures, particularly those linked to instability in West Asia.
He said this should be the kind of practical response that deserves attention, rather than political point-scoring.
He further warned against what he described as “fishing in troubled waters”, where individuals or groups may seek to aggravate public sentiment for political advantage, adding that politics must have limits, particularly when it comes to matters involving the royal institution.
Yesterday, Sultan Sharafuddin advised all state assemblypersons to visit the newly installed Rukun Negara monument plaque at Dataran Selangor twice a month to better understand and appreciate the national principles.
In particular, he suggested that Seri Kembangan assemblyperson Wong Siew Ki and former Selangor exco Ronnie Liu visit the site even more frequently - once a week - to learn the importance of respecting the royal institution and upholding proper conduct.
‘Consider modern pig farming’
Last month, during the debate on the royal address in the Selangor state assembly, Wong urged the state government to consider modern pig farming systems and noted that the issue touched on equality rights under the Federal Constitution.
Certain quarters viewed the remark as disrespectful to the Selangor ruler following a February decree that no such farming be allowed in the state.
Wong also faced harsh criticism and was accused of being “treasonous”, with critics arguing that her proposal was an affront to the sultan’s decree.
Following the uproar against Wong, several leaders, including Liu, came to her defence and called on the state government to address mounting concerns over its pig farming policy.
Liu, who quit DAP in 2023, also questioned why the party’s senior leaders had not sought an audience with the Selangor ruler or raised the matter with the menteri besar, the prime minister, and the cabinet.
On May 7, Sultan Sharafuddin issued a directive calling for a “full stop” to public debate over the pig farming issue.
Police reports against Pua
A police report campaign against DAP veteran Tony Pua is being organised in response to the latter’s remarks against the monarchy - accusing him of being disrespectful, seditious, and provocative.
Pua yesterday asserted that the monarchs are bound by the constitutional system and can’t issue binding decrees to legislate all aspects of people’s lives.
“I am loyal to king and country, will abide by the rule of law based on our supreme constitution. Not decrees,” he said, in response to Sultan Sharafuddin urging state assemblypersons to understand the Rukun Negara better.
In response to Pua, Amanah Youth exco Fadhli Umar Aminolhuda urged DAP to discipline the former Damansara MP and ex-political secretary to then-finance minister Lim Guan Eng.
“I am confident the remarks don’t reflect DAP’s official stance, especially under the leadership of (secretary-general) Anthony Loke and (deputy secretary-general) Steven Sim, what more since Pua is no longer a central leader,” he added.
Leaders from Umno, Bersatu, and Putra also condemned Pua over his remarks. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.