AMID RED-HOT ABDICATION RUMORS, RULERS HOLD EMERGENCY MEETING ON ‘SERIOUS MATTER’ INVOLVING AGONG’S MYSTERIOUS ABSENCE

KUALA LUMPUR: A RARE and unscheduled meeting among rulers took place here on Wednesday night, following the end of Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah’s duties as acting Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the absence of the king, Sultan Muhammad V.

Sultan Muhammad V had been on two month’s leave until Dec 31 for medical treatment, the details of which were not disclosed at the time.

During his absence, there were foreign media reports and photographs claiming the king had wed a former Russian beauty queen in Moscow. There was no official confirmation or denial of the marriage.

More recently, social media has been abuzz with fresh claims and adverse commenting concerning Sultan Muhammad V, with no official reaction from the palace or other authorities.

Sources confirmed to the New Straits Times yesterday that the unofficial meeting took place, but declined to divulge details about what was discussed.

It is understood that unofficial meetings of the rulers are rare, and unlike the regular Conference of Rulers, do not require the presence of the prime minister or other officials.

“Such meetings are usually held once or twice a term, and normally it is to discuss something important. There was no such meeting last year.”

Another source, who also confirmed that the meeting took place, said a “s erious” discussion was held over a matter regarding the monarchy.

“Yes, the meeting was held last night. A serious matter was discussed. We want to know where we are heading concerning this matter,” the source said, declining to confirm whether the king was present at the meeting.

“The others (rulers) were present. But you have to ask Istana Negara. I cannot tell you (whether the Agong attended the meeting ).”

The Conference of Rulers takes place over three days, and is attended by only the nine rulers on the first day.

On the second day, governors will join the meeting alongside the nine rulers. For the third day, the meeting will include the prime minister, menteris besar and chief ministers.

Sources told NST that the normal Wednesday meeting for the prime minister to present cabinet papers to the king also did not take place.

Coincidentally on that day itself, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad published a post titled “Rule of Law ”, which defended the public’s right to lodge complaints against those who break the law, regardless of their position or stature.

“The rule of law applies to everyone, from the rulers to the prime minister and ministers, to civil servants and ordinary citizens.

“There is no provision which exempts anyone from the rule of law. For the rulers, there is a special court, but the laws are the same as the laws applicable to ordinary citizens. The rulers too must respect the laws.”

He said it was disturbing to see blatant breaches of the law being perpetrated in the mistaken belief that immunity had somehow been accorded.

Up to press time, Twitter was abuzz with Netizens seeking the truth behind rumours and allegations regarding the king. -nst

Sacrosanctity of royal institution must be upheld by both rulers and their subjects

OF late the royal institution has come in for some special mention in the social media, and not always in a positive light.

The latest involves the status of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. One development after another is being viralled.

First came stories of the king being on treatment. Stories of a purported marriage to a Russian followed, with pictures to boot.

There was neither confirmation nor denial of the marriage from Istana Negara or other authorities. This a disturbing trend, especially when no effort is being made to put an end to the “hot” conversations in the cyberspace.

Of course, not all conversations in the social media are true. But then again, not all Netizens can tell a viral lie from the truth.

If what is being said about the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the social media are fabricated lies, they are certainly defamatory to the royal institution and to the person of the King.

It most certainly hurts the reputation of the constitutional monarchy that Malaysia is.

Stern action must be taken against the perpetrators. But if it is true, the authority must quickly acknowledge it. Otherwise, the sanctity of the royal institution will be eroded, and with it the people’s trust. We must not allow silence to be interpreted as consent.

Prime Minster Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has a point. Writing in his blog chedet.cc on Jan 2 about the rule of law generally, Dr Mahathir talks of the importance of the Federal Constitution in determining “the legal structure of Malaysia from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to the rulers of the states, to the federal and state governments and the bodies empowered to rule and enforce”.

There is no provision which exempts anyone from the rule of law, he says. We cannot but agree with the good doctor.

If exemptions are granted, then we, as a country cannot make a claim to being a nation guided by rule of law. We join the prime minister in saying that it is disturbing indeed to see “blatant breaches of the law being perpetrated in the mistaken belief that immunity has somehow been accorded”.

Truth is not seditious, says Dr Mahathir. We could not have said it better.

We must remember that we are a nation that practises democracy. We cannot have one rule for one set of people and another for another set of people.

This will disturb the balance of justice. Dr Mahathir puts it thus: “The rule of law applies to everyone from the rulers to the prime minister and ministers, to the civil servants and ordinary citizens”.

To this prime ministerial words, we add the famous words of Lord Chief Justice Gordon Hewart now heard throughout the common law world and beyond, uttered nearly 100 years ago, in R v Sussex Justices; Ex parte McCarthy [1924] 1 KB 256, 259 (‘R v Sussex Justices’): “Justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.” – nst

NST