What is at stake in the Perak crisis
The Perak crisis is a tragic comedy of errors and bad political judgment that reflects a failure of political leadership. As it continues to spin out of control, it damages our democratic system of governance. To all intents and purposes, one of our most prosperous and developed states has been reduced to a failed state, with a possibly illegal state government in place. This is a condition that can propagate outwards to the rest of the country.
I stated at the beginning of this crisis that by our Constitution, a change of government can only be brought about by democratic means, which is to say, through the ballot box or through a formal vote of confidence in the elected Legislative Assembly. These are the constitutionally mandated means by which the people decide on their government. Any other means of changing the government is unconstitutional and undemocratic, and subverts the basis upon which we are a civilised society.
We now have reason to fear the loss of the people’s confidence in the Constitution, in democracy and in our constitutional monarchy. Responsible political leadership must support rather than destroy the confidence of the people in these practices and institutions. In particular, powers reserved for the Legislative Assembly, which represents the sovereign will of the people, cannot be taken away under any circumstances by anyone. This foundational constitutional principle has been affirmed by the Court. We are all sworn to uphold it. Those who do not understand or accept this principle have no place in government.
Some issues can be solved by a court of law, but the Perak crisis is not one of them. The back and forth events of the past week demonstrate this fact abundantly. The Perak crisis cannot be solved by a decision of the Court because it is at heart a political rather than a constitutional problem. There is really no doubt about what the Constitution says. What is now unclear as a result of an ugly series of manoeuvres is whether Perak has a legitimate government, and there is only one way to resolve that issue. Perhaps our political leadership has not understood how important it is that the people’s voice must prevail, and be seen to prevail, in the choice of their government.
The only solution to the Perak crisis now is for the State Legislative Assembly to be dissolved and free and fair elections held. At this stage there is no other way to restore both public confidence and constitutional legality to the Perak state government, and by extension to our entire system of government. Our survival as a democratic and constitutional monarchy depends on our acceptance of the judgment of the people as expressed in free and fair elections. Any attempt to circumvent that judgment betrays the basic principles and values upon which our nation and incidentally, UMNO itself, stand. I appeal for wisdom and a broader concern for the wellbeing of our country.
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah
Member of Parliament, Gua Musang
May 12, 2009
YBM Tengku,
Interesting read, but the fact remains, the interest of the rakyat continue to be sidelined. It is somewhat obvious that UMNO have no real motivation to resolve the current impasse; for obvious self-interest reason. The only problem is that very self-interest is at the expense of the rakyat at large. How ironic that we rakyat are expected to believe in this 1Malaysia rhetoric whilst all this is happening.
Wonder if Perak impasse can be manoeuvred through a bipartisan confidence-related issue in Parliament. Of course, for this to happen, we need rakyat-minded legislators.
apolitikal
May 12, 2009 at 9:14 pm
apolitikal,
It is somewhat obvious that BN and PR have no real motivation to resolve the current impasse; for obvious self-interest reason.
lonipeza
May 12, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Yes, I stand corrected; you are absolutely right!
apolitikal
May 13, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Dear Tengku,
I wanted to ask you to leave UMNO as a sign of protest to their conduct in Perak. But this request will beat the purpose of your writing and your principle of upholding the constitution and rule of law, because by quitting UMNO and BN, we are actually asking you to betray Gua Musang voters who voted for you — which is exactly the root cause of this Perak impasse.
You do not deserve to be associated with the tainted, but there’s really no way out for you too, but to remain in UMNO; unless you are willing to quit as MP and re-contest again the Gua Musang seat under a different party.
I wish you could do that and trigger something massive to force UMNO to change its behaviour of late. When you expect them not to do anything stupid, they just do it more stupidly than you can ever imagine.
timmysay
May 12, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Dear Sir
Do you think we will see the end of this fiasco? Do you think UMNO/BN will ever relinguish their ‘power-crazed’ attitude and actually for once do the right thing?
Yes in a way Anwar started this frogy business but Najib saw it thru fullscale and see the MESS!
samesame2
May 12, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Dear Tengku,
I can feel how you feel. Its painful seeing and witnessing the impasse in Perak is going from bad to worst.
I cant see how you are going to help, as you have been sidelined by politicking leaders in UMNO and trying to circumvent your advancement in the party.
I know you could have possibly solved the problems if you were at the height of power as you are the most magnanimous leader, who were sidelined by unscrupulous leadership since the retirement of Hussein ONN.
Tengku, please help us to attend to our problems here in Ipoh.
We are caught in tight web and just cannot move an in further.
guduhum
May 13, 2009 at 2:23 am
YB, how about the politicians, community leaders and opinion shapers like yourself propose that May 13 becomes a public holiday in Malaysia, called Unity Day, a special day that celebrates all things Malaysian. A day of celebration of Malaysian culture, art, innovations, talks by Malaysian experts, concerts, movies, exhibitions, food fairs, etc. A day for Malaysians to reaffirm its commitment to 1Malaysia. A day for reflection on the lessons of history so that we can move forward together as one. A day for all Malaysians to mingle, interact and celebrate our unique cultural diversity. It could even become a tourist attraction like Oktoberfest in Germany! I hope that I will live long enough to see Unity Day take place in Malaysia.
Happy May 13!
P.S. Studies show that racial discrimination is largely caused by lack of education and lack of interaction between people of different racial and cultural backgrounds. Studies show that people with neighbours of a different race and culture are much less likely to be racists.
bornmalaysian
May 13, 2009 at 8:59 am
Dear Tengku,
I am still having hope that this country can be out of this tribulation and the person to to take on the mantle is your good self.
I dont see any others as the rest are just playing politics…no finesse what so ever.
We want to see a total image change and the change cannot come from from anyone from the current set of leaders.
I pray for you Tengku.
guduhum
May 13, 2009 at 11:21 am
Sir,
Watching all this unfold from afar, I would just like to say I appreciate your stance on this matter. Parliamentary democracy has its traditions, which unfortunately seem to have fallen by the wayside here.
I would suggest that fresh elections for the whole state assembly would be the best way to resolve this situation.
otherpers
May 13, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Dear YBM Tengku,
I think the crisis has become one of national proportions. It can happen in Perak, it can happen in any state. All Malaysians have to state their mind.
It is also time for all the political parties, regardless of those in the Opposition or in the BN to say whether they support those actions that destroyed the sanctity of our democratic instituions such as allowing the police into the Perak Assembly, dragging the speaker, an elected assemblyman by brute force.
Especially now it appears that the clip showing the dragging of the Speaker is now banned. MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PPP, SNAP, and all should state their position for all Malaysians to know. Do they support the banning of the video clip? They can be for it or against it. The rakyat need to know their position and vote accordingly in the next election. Silence is not acceptable.
malaijai
May 13, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Dear YBM Tengku,
I hope Sultan Azlan will be wise enough to remedy his previous mistake. He should know very well that in a Democracy, the will of the people is supreme.
He (Sultan Azlan) should also very well know how the support of the 2 ex-PKR ADUNS were obtained by BN. It is well known to all that they were both trapped into an act of corruption and they enticed to accept a deal to support BN in order to save themselves!
The believe that BN has a majority in the Perak state assembly is therefore seriously defective. I am alarmed that the Sultan can ignore this. The Rakyat, are no ex-Lord Presidents but they all know this simple fact. The rakyat are therefore very angry with the Sultan on this, I am sure.
To me the ball is now at the Sultan’s court so to speak.
It is only right that the Sultan undo what the mess he had done in the first place to Perak and its democracy.
Cheers,
Raja Chulan
rajachulan
May 13, 2009 at 3:15 pm
YBM Tengku,
I have read A LOT about what many wants to say about the Royal Perak Circus…..
Enough Tengku, what we need is action……
As a senior UMNO man, a Royal yourself, DO SOMETHING!…..till when are we going to see the UMNO game, a political game, with the royals actually ‘aiding’ them!……everything is so crystal clear Tengku……don’t you see it?……
I did came to your office months ago….talking about this UMNO political games that doesn’t seem to end….and I have told you that you have a role to play…..remember?…..
Orglama aka The MIND!!!
p/s….can I come to take my book back!….TQ
orglama
May 13, 2009 at 10:17 pm
YB Tengku
Good morning! It has finally rain after weeks of dry weather…!
I can now comment with a “cooled” head.
Well…..
What else more can be said about the Perak fiasco..?
The world is, for sure, “Laughing Out Loud” at us…!
Our Politicians are behaving like “Donkeys”…!
(How else to describe them…???)
Tengku…, among all at BN, you are the most “civil minded”. Yes, you are….!!!!!
The rest of BN & their “Gang” are just useless & followers….!
This Perak Circus thingy is “destroying” the livelyhood of the rakyat……….!!!
Why is Najib sooo….. STUBBORN about giving it back to the rakyat to vote……..??????????
Coz he knows BN “will” loose, big time !!!
He also don’t want to “Jatuhkan his Muka” to the rakyat & the World……..!!!!
Ego speaks for itself…………………!
Tengku, can you do something about these “drama” ???
It hurts everytime I watch it…!
Thank you.
veryupset
May 14, 2009 at 9:45 am
Dear Tengku,
The rakyat and the people of Perak in particular are in despair. We have no more leaders with political sanity, and everyone is looking at you as the answer.
I appreciate that you love UMNO but Tengku, be realistic and accept the fact that the support of UMNO is dwindling very swiftly.
UMNO is losing every bit of old image as nationalist party.
Tengku, just be a little less gentleman, and do anything to settle the current uneasiness nationwide.
Talk to everyone Tengku. We are in desperation finding a leader.
On my part as a retired government servant the only thing I can do is PRAY! PRAY! and PRAY!
I used to serve under you and many others and your magnanimity and gentleman is unmatched.
Sir! please help!
guduhum
May 14, 2009 at 12:11 pm
YBM Tengku,
For the first time in the history of modern Perak the state has an ‘illegitimate government’ with ‘bast**ds policies and regulations’ since the ‘illegitimate MB’ was sworn until today. What is more unfortunate is that the Court of Appeal has added more salt to the already grieving situation in Perak.
mfbakar
May 15, 2009 at 11:32 pm
it is just an ignorant mind of some human evolving into a wrong path. Bringing along some chaotic cause and effect into the future of Malaysia.
freedesire
May 16, 2009 at 12:54 pm
With all…. these “circus” drama in Perak, I wonder what is the Perak Sultan’s feeling towards it….!!!
Najib has already “thrown” the ball to him..!!!
So…. why is the Sultan not responding……????????
I bet you if Sultan respons, he would be lable as the “Starter” of these Perak “Circus” drama………..!
Right……..??????????????????
veryupset
May 21, 2009 at 10:10 am
What we have now is, the Sultan + Najib + UMNO/BN + police + EC + MACC + civil service + judiciary + Media VS the People of Perak.
Ultimately the People’s Will will prevail.
perakborn
May 28, 2009 at 10:23 pm
i agree what jimmysay….show your displeasure by leaving UMNO like what Tunku Abd Rahman and Hussain Onn did….you don’t have to join any party…just be an independent… I am sure other MPs will join you….UMNO is not what it used to be….I am sure the people of Gua Musang will respect you…
eurokopter
May 28, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Udah-udahlah tu tengku, orang Perak pun dah terima dah…PEACE!!!
ParpuKari
June 7, 2009 at 4:11 pm
DI KALANGAN kawan-kawan penulis, wartawan dan pemikir, masing-masing ada cerita lelucon apabila mengikuti perkembangan Muktamar Tahunan Pas yang ke 55 baru-baru ini. Paling lucu ialah usul tergempar yang dibawa Pas Kawasan Tambun (Perak) supaya ditubuhkan Suruhanjaya Siasatan DiRaja untuk menyiasat pengambilan secara haram kerajaan negeri Perak.
Kalaulah ada anugerah atau oskar lucu terbaik, ia bolehlah diberikan kepada pembawa usul, Dr. Khairuddin Abdul Malek dan oskar kedua, pembantu (lucu) terbaik, kepada Ahli Parlimen Shah Alam, Khalid Abdul Samad atau Ustaz Dzulkifli Ahmad dari Dewan Pemuda Pas (DPP) Pusat kerana menyokong dan turut membahaskan usul tergempar ini.
Kata seorang penulis veteran, kenapa Pas Kawasan Tambun mahu mengusulkan usul tergempar ini sedangkan bekas Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin yang memilih untuk sembah derhaka kepada Baginda Sultan Perak sedang membuat rayuan di Mahkamah Persekutuan?
“Dulu dah bawa ke Mahkamah Tinggi, menang. Di Mahkamah Rayuan kalah,” kata penulis veteran ini.Bila menang, kata ia melambangkan kedaulatan undang-undang. Bila kalah, dituduhnya mahkamah sudah ada skrip yang disediakan. Nanti, kalau menang di Mahkamah Persekutuan, mungkin puji-pujiannya kepada keputusan itu, melangit tetapi kalau sebaliknya, mengutuk hingga tidak ada batasan dan etika.
“Samalah juga kalau betul-betul kerajaan bersedia menubuhkan Suruhanjaya Siasatan DiRaja. Jika keputusan Suruhanjaya itu berpihak kepada kehendak mereka (Pas), maka dipujinya Suruhanjaya Siasatan DiRaja itu tetapi kalau sebaliknya, akan dituduhnya Suruhanjaya Siasatan DiRaja ini ada skrip yang sudah disediakan,” ujarnya penulis veteran ini lagi.
Seorang wartawan muda yang berkelulusan universiti luar negeri pula berpendapat, Pas sengaja buat tindakan berterusan supaya mood dan emosi rakyat Perak boleh dimainkan sepanjang masa. Mereka bimbang jika mood dan emosi rakyat tidak dimainkan, nanti mereka (rakyat) akan lupa isu dan perjuangan Pas Perak itu.
Katanya, inilah yang melucukan. Penyokong Pas akan terus akur dengan permainan pemimpin-pemimpin mereka kerana mereka seperti tidak dapat berfikir lagi secara rasional. Jika sudah melalui proses mahkamah, untuk apa membuat pelbagai bantahan termasuk mogok lapar, memakai baju hitam dan membentangkan usul tergempar.
“Saya nampak di sini mereka main-main tetapi penyokong mereka menerimanya sebagai serius. Kesihan betul penyokong mereka yang tidak nampak yang mana main dan yang mana main-main,” kata wartawan muda ini.
Menurutnya, boleh membentangkan usul jika sudah tidak ada lagi saluran yang boleh digunakan demi mencari keadilan. Malangnya, ketika mereka menggunakan saluran mahkamah, mereka juga mahu menggunakan saluran politik dan dalam masa yang sama, menghasut rakyat supaya percaya mahkamah tidak adil dalam membuat keputusan.
Manakala pemikir yang berusia 60 tahun ini pula memberikan pandangannya mengenai Muktamar Tahunan Pas kali ini sebagai medan untuk membuat lebih banyak cerita lucu yang diterima para pengikutnya sebagai serius.
“Mereka mahu rakyat ikut kehendak mereka. Mereka mahu mahkamah ikut kehendak mereka. Mereka mahu SPRM ikut kehendak mereka. Mereka mahu SPR ikut kehendak mereka. Mereka mahu Suruhanjaya DiRaya ikut kehendak mereka dan akhir sekali mereka sendiri mahu menjadi mahkamah, mahu menjadi kerajaan dan mahu menjadi anggota Suruhanjaya Siasatan DiRaja,” kata pemikir ini tanpa mahu gelak walaupun semua kawan-kawan lain tergelak apabila dia bercakap.
“Saya serius. Kenapa kamu semua ketawa?” soalnya dan menyamakan kawan-kawan sama seperti penyokong Pas. Ketika Pas membuat keputusan yang main-main, penyokong mereka ber’main’ bermati-matian.Kita orang bermati-matian berjuang (baca: bertungkus-lumus), mereka me’mati’kan diri, seolah-olah mereka tidak perlu bermati-matian kerana mereka tahu lebih dari apa yang penyokong mereka tahu.
Seorang lagi penulis yang sudah bersara dari menjadi pensyarah di salah sebuah universiti terkemuka di tanahair pula berpendapat, Pas sebenarnya tidak mempunyai hala tujuan dalam perjuangannya. Menurutnya, ketika mereka mendesak supaya Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) dibubarkan, mereka juga membawa kes ke mahkamah.
“Mungkin Pas sudah tahu tanpa rakan kongsinya DAP mana mungkin mereka dapat menjadi Exco dan Menteri Besar di Perak. Maka, mereka buat semua ini bagi membuktikan kepad DAP bahawa mereka bersungguh-sungguh (baca: bermati-matian) memperjuangkan kerajaan Pakatan Pembangkang di Perak.
Kata penulis ini lagi, satu perkara yang mereka lupa, ketika mereka menyusun semua ini untuk menjadikan keadaan tidak harmoni, Allah akan bersama-sama orang yang bekerja ke arah keharmonian. Lagipun, sudah jelas mereka hanya bekerja untuk memastikan mereka dapat menjadi kerajaan tetapi mereka tidak langsung mahu menghargai demokrasi di Malaysia yang pernah meletakkan mereka di suatu kedudukan yang cukup tinggi.
“Mereka ni, kalau menang nanti dalam pilihan raya, mereka akan kata inilah kuasa rakyat tetapi kalau mereka kalah, mereka akan kata undi hantu dan penipuan yang menyebabkan mereka kalah. “ Penulis ini berhujah.
Kesimpulannya, masing-masing mahu YAB Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir yang kini menjadi Menteri Besar Perak meneruskan tugasnya membela rakyat dan membawa pembangunan kepada Negeri Perak yang masih memerlukan komitmen dari seorang pemimpin yang juga merupakan seorang pejuang.
ParpuKari
June 7, 2009 at 4:14 pm
YBM Tengku,
Tengku bacalah rumusan cybertrooper UMNO yang bernama Parpu Kari ni….bacalah logik dan pemikiran mereka hasil dari usaha mereka yang tidak habis2 bercakap POLITIK!…..
Hasil perbincangan mereka ini patut Tengku sendiri hadir dan perhatikan dengan sendiri apakah yang UMNO main untuk politik mereka….bangsa dan agama dah lama UMNO abaikan!…..
Mereka membuat ‘rayuan’ ini agar Tengku SETIA tinggal di dalam UMNO….jika Tengku TINGGALKAN UMNO, apa yang ada lagi dengan UMNO….inilah yang mereka cuba buat…..
Akhir2 ini mereka semua cuba ‘cucuk’ Pas untuk bunuh Pakatan…..inilah rumusan mereka…..bacala Tengku …..fikirlah……adakah Melayu akan kuat? Islam akan MULIA?……fikirlah!
Kalau Tengku tidak dapat buat keputusan, bacalah blog Parpu Kari ini sendiri, dan lihatlah logik beliau …..demi UMNO!…..agama, bangsa dan negara?….that was PRIOR 1982!…..(Tengku sendiri tegur dan cabar Dr M ketika itu…..Tengku sudah lupa?….keadaan sudah BAIK, maka tentangan itu sudah tidak PERLU lagi?)
Apa tugas AHLUL BAIT Rasullullah saw di akhir zaman ini?…….your elegant silence is unwanted anymore!…….time for you to play you role….AS ENTRUSTED BY HIM!
Sincerely,
orglama
orglama
June 14, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Org lama. U are totally right. I echo all your words to YB Tengku
farizkb
June 15, 2009 at 11:46 pm
dear farizkb
Thank you for your agreement…..but YBM preferred to remain elegant….in silence!
BTW, are you the grandson of YBM?…..fariz?….kb?…..I hoped so!
sincerely
orglama
orglama
June 18, 2009 at 6:02 am
If only Tengku chose to be a little bit less gentlemen, he would have been our PM decades ago. Well then, friends and enemies can always change, but you just can’t change your principles.
That’s may be a weakness to some, but to me it is a beautiful thing to have, and it takes a lot of self-discipline to adhere to your principles day in and day out. I am still putting hope that there’s might be some kind of plan God has planned out for Tengku. Faith and Hope for the best.
May Tengku stays in the pink of health for many years to come.
timmysay
June 20, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Dear timmysay,
you’re absolutely right…He is like his father and his father’s good friend, YM Tengku Mahmood Mahyiddeen (“Harimau Malaya”) – men with great principles. Salam to you.
rosetulip
June 20, 2009 at 9:21 pm