Dr M: I'm not rejecting monarchy, just trying to save them from public anger

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has clarified that he does not "reject" the monarchy, as alleged by certain quarters.

In an interview with Malay daily Sinar Harian, he said that his actions were meant to prevent the rulers from angering the rakyat until they revolt against the latter.

"We have to take care, the rulers should not get involved with things that the rakyat don't like. The rakyat have no power, but when they are angry, they will revolt. Don't let that happen.

"So we have to ensure that the rulers, and their status, are not affected. I don't reject the royalty, but I am of the opinion that if they do something wrong, we should take actions to save them," Mahathir said.

This includes amending the law to set-up the Special Court for Rulers, he noted.

In 1993, the Parliament amended Article 182 of the Federal Constitution, which removed the Malay rulers' immunity.

Mahathir was responding to a question on what he would do to ensure a good relationship between the rulers, politicians and the rakyat.

Rulers have to follow the constitution

On the delay of his swearing in as the prime minister for the second time, Mahathir said the rulers have to follow the rule of law and the Federal Constitution.

"Such things should not have happened. We have laws. We have a constitution, and we have to follow the rule of law. We want to go back to the rule of law. When something happens that is seen against the law, it would give rise to anger.

"But I think the rulers realise this because a lot of them, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong try to follow the law.

"In fact, the majority of rulers do not agree when a swearing-in is delayed. Some of them came to see me, some tried to diffuse the situation, including the delay in my swearing in and the attorney-general's appointment issue. And this issue had been settled by the rulers themselves," he said.

Senior lawyer Tommy Thomas was recently appointed as the attorney-general, replacing Mohamed Apandi Ali, who was sacked for allegedly abetting the wrongdoings of former premier Najib Abdul Razak.

Thomas' appointment, albeit hitting initial hurdles, was subsequently made possible by the royal assent by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V. - Mkini