KUALA LUMPUR - To introduce a new political order, there is a need for a formula on the relations and orientation between the federal and state governments, notes the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.
He said the move was important so as not to convolute civil servants in carrying out their duties and ensure the people were not made victims in political disputes.
According to him, civil servants faced the dilemma of fulfilling their responsibilities and balanced their allegiance between the state and federal authorities, especially those located in states controlled by a political party, different from the federal government.
"The concept of federalism based on Article 73 to 95E of the Federal Constitution should be understood and respected. Political differences between state and federal governments should not be left to deteriorate into state parochialism which affect unity and reconcilation.
"There should be clear guidelines on relations affected by political differences based on the policies of one party with another," he said in a keynote address at the Second National Professors Congress organised by the National Professors Council here today.
Raja Nazrin said the professional attitude of a neutral civil service was important to ensure the administrative governance was based on adherence to the law, especially those relating to national finance.
He said civil servants were required to practise the principle of not being a party to malpractices.
"The civil service should be a model of the wisdom of the legendary Bendahari of Melaka who could differentiate between right and wrong, justice and cruelty before carrying out a certain order.
"There should be discipline to separate between loyalty to the country and loyalty to the individual," he said.
Apart from that, he said the practice of marginalising the status of a state could be interpreted as not respecting the sovereignty of the Raja and not respecting the institution of the Yang Dipertua Negeri.
Raja Nazrin said the theme of the National Day set at national-level should be followed by the states.
He said the trend of states which chose a celebration theme different from the national level was unhealthy and should stop.
"The National Day is to commemorate the historic event of the nation. The National Day celebration is a symbol of unity.
"Malaysians should separate between bigotry political emotions with the most historical events for the nation," he added.
Apart from that, Raja Dr Nazrin said national unity was essential for a country to ensure the survival of a nation.
To draft a unity formula, he urged the people to recall the event of July 10, 1957 when Tunku Abdul Rahman, in the name of the Chief Minister, tabled a proposal to formulate the constitution at the Federal Legislative Council.
"In looking for a glorious future, it is relevant to recall old memories and a wise saying which says, 'Return to the beginning if one is lost at the end of a road'.
"When the country was built, it was focused on the unity of people in diversity and the spirit is enshrined in an important document known as the Federal Constitution," he said.
He said to draft a unity formula, one must be prepared to retreat before moving forward and be bold to accept reality and firmness in holding on to principles.
"The Constitution should remain the source of interpretation based on the spirit of consensus agreed," he said.
The two-day congress themed, 'Concept of National Integration', and attended by 600 professors from various fields, also discussed five main topics on concept and challenge of national integration, justice and socio-economy, science and research, identity and patriotism, as well as globalisation and national defence.
The resolutions of the congress will be presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at its closing ceremony tonight.
-- BERNAMA
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