'Sensitive', but deputy minister agrees rulers should be transparent

Though pointing out it was a sensitive subject, Deputy Youth Minister Steven Sim, however, agreed that the monarchy should be transparent.

He said this when an audience member called for more access to information regarding the rulers at a talk in Kuala Lumpur titled “Benefits and Challenges to Access of Information in Malaysia”.

“Being an important institution, (the monarchy) has to realise this is the direction the country is taking.

“Then, they have to follow suit in terms of transparency (and) in terms of freedom of information and human rights,” Sim added.

The audience member also noted how Bersatu supreme council member A Kadir Jasin courted intense flak when he claimed that the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V had been allocated RM256.9 million in his 16 months as king. 

According to the Treasury, the government allocated RM13.5 million annually for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) founder Cynthia Gabriel told the audience that issues concerning Malay rulers remained taboo but called for investigative journalism into such topics to be protected.

“This is a no-no, taboo topic still.

“But it was very disappointing that Kadir was lambasted for exposing something (that) may have needed further investigation.

“And so, the point here is how do we actually enhance investigative journalism. Which means the environment needs to be created (so) that they (journalists) can report, they can actually dig deeper and report (these issues) without getting into trouble,” she said.

Among those who criticised Kadir was PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim, who expressed regret over the Bersatu leader's “disparaging remarks” concerning the royal institution.

Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had also indirectly expressed his dismay at those whom he said have been openly insulting, belittling, instigating and inciting hatred towards Malay rulers. 

"What is more upsetting is that the incitement to hate the Malay rulers is being carried out by some Malays themselves," he had said.

Today’s talk was organised by Unesco along with RTM and the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development.

In line with Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Hanipa Maidin revealed last month that cabinet was in the midst of formulating a national Freedom of Information (FOI) law.

At present, only Selangor and Penang have FOI enactments. -Mkini