The Malaysian Insight

MALAY rulers need not have to tell their subjects everything, but transparency can help keep a lid on speculations, Universiti Malaya law lecturer Azmi Sharom said.

“It would be good to practise a little transparency on what goes on with our rulers. If they keep silent, they will give rise to speculations.

“There is no need to explain everything but give the people some sensible reasons. Otherwise, they will speculate,” he said in an interview last night on the TV AlHijrah programme “Analisis”, hosted by newscaster Syafinaz Yunus.

Last night’s programme discussed the recent abdication of Sultan Muhammad V from Kelantan as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, criticisms against the institution of rulers, the insults on social media against the monarchy and former King, and the appointment of the new King from a legal perspective.

The brouhaha over Sultan Muhammad V’s recent abdication – the first in Malaysian history – and the lack of explanation as to why he made the decision led to much speculation.

News of his abdication also received attention abroad and became a subject of propaganda in international media, showing the institution of rulers in bad light to some extent.

International Islamic University Malaysia law lecturer Associate Professor Shamrahayu Abd Aziz, the other academic in the programme, also observed that people have become more critical of the royal institution over the last decade.

“It takes two to tango. The royals should also not give the people reason to criticise them. They should also be looking after the institution properly,” she said.

Earlier, both law academics agreed that the rulers were not above criticism, as long as the people minded their manners when they criticised.

There had been an outcry after several social media users were found insulting the monarchy and Sultan Muhammad V earlier this week after he abdicated. Police are investigating three people for sedition over their remarks.

Shamrahayu said respect for and acceptance of the institution of rulers should be instilled in children from young, while stressing that the rulers had important roles to play in the country.

The institution provided balance when there were political crises like hung Parliaments, she said.

“They also have roles to play in safeguarding the national identity, security, and ensuring racial harmony, unity and economic stability.”

Azmi said the rulers should also play their part to explain their functions to the people.

He also said one important role the King, who is appointed from the nine Malay rulers every five years, played was representing the country.

“The king is the country’s representative while the prime minister is the government’s representative.

“I pity the United States now. The country and its government are both represented by Donald Trump,” Azmi joked. – January 12, 2019.