Outgoing senate president wants rulers' immunity to prosecution restored

Outgoing Dewan Negara president S Vigneswaran has called for the 1993 constitutional amendments which stripped rulers of their immunity to criminal prosecution, to be reversed.

The MIC president, in his farewell speech to the Dewan Negara, argued that the amendments made in 1993 were unconstitutional.

"It is my wish, as the retiring Dewan Negara president, to call on the government to reverse the controversial 1993 amendments which until today is still hotly debated.

"It is my opinion, it was unconstitutional as the amendments were made without the consent of the conference of rulers and reduced the powers of the Malay rulers.

"The sovereignty of the royal institution should be restored. I stand corrected. We should restore the powers of the Malay rulers to the time of independence," he added.

The 1993 constitutional amendments, spearheaded by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, implemented a system where rulers could face criminal prosecution in a special court.

Vigneswaran said the rulers' powers are needed to ensure political stability and the future of a diverse society.

He highlighted the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's role in resolving the political crisis in February following the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

"When the political crisis erupted in late February, we witnessed the important role played by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

"It shows the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and conference of rulers are important pillars of the nation. They are our hope and symbol of unity as they are not politically elected and therefore free of political elements.

"These are among the reasons why the royal institution has the potential to play a role that is not bound by the rules affecting political parties where every decision is bound by sentiment and party partisanship,” he added.

Vigneswaran also thanked Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former prime ministers Najib Abdul Razak and Mahathir for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Dewan Negara president. - Mkini