Year 1993
This is not the first constitutional crisis in which the rights of the Rulers has been touched upon. Today’s crisis in Perak is about the legitimacy of the process by which a new state government has been formed in Perak. It’s not about the status of the Rulers. In comparison, the constitutional crisis of 1993 arose from an ugly confrontation between Umno and the Rulers over a question that had direct and profound implications on their sovereignty and that of the Yang Dipertuan Agong. For good reason, the Head of State in most countries may not be prosecuted in an ordinary court of law. In 1993, the government campaigned to remove this immunity through amendments to the Constitution.
I opposed these amendments.
In the event, Rulers and Parliament were railroaded by the government of the day and the amendments passed. These are the very same amendments which today make it legal for a Ruler to be prosecuted. Mr Karpal Singh, though I disagree with him, was acting well within rights that an Umno-led government enacted in 1993 when he earlier proposed to sue DYMM the Sultan of Perak.
Let’s reflect on this irony. Does Umno serve the Rulers more genuinely by upholding and protecting the Constitution which guarantees their status, or by histrionic displays tuned for the coming Umno elections?
This bears upon the question of the kind of leaders, and the kind of party, we want. Do we want to be led by those who can understand and address the foundational issues facing our society today, and shall we have leaders capable of forging “mutual consent by debate and discussion, inquiries and elections” or shall we again be landed with those whose main talent is to strike poses that people outside a small, insecure circle in Umno, and particularly Malaysia’s internet generation, find ridiculous?
Was greater harm done to the sovereignty of the Rulers in 1993 through Parliament or a week ago on the streets of Perak?
And is today’s Umno, with its inconsistent adherence to the rule of law, its inconstant respect for the key institutions of our country, a credible or effective defender of the Rulers and of the laws upholding thisinstitution?
Or do we actually harm what we claim to protect?
Below is a video recording in two parts of the speech I made in Parliament in 1993 opposing the amendments to the Constitution.
I stand by my argument.
Tengku,
I think you are fighting a one man’s battle in UMNO. If you practise money politics, you are accepted there, otherwise you only have the support of Gua Musang. You keep your integrity, but you are out of UMNO main stream.
We were all UMNO people once. I left and joined KEADILAN.
This is not an invitation, but this is a call for you to consider having a new front to fight and struggle for the rakyat. UMNO way? Forget it.
Be on the right track.
Dear Tengku,
I was much of a fighter against the Constitutional Amendment in 1993.
But UMNO managed to get more than two-third majority, and the sad thing, all the Rajas agreed to the amendment, and alas, the power and imunities of the Rajas were taken away.
And much to our dislike now, politicians especially enjoy all the immunities. Forget about reports to the police or sprm, they are completely useless against Najib – betul-betul kebal dia!
Dear Tengku Razaleigh,
I do find your posting is a great way to get to know you in personal. Your entry/posting speaks of a highly gentleman as you are. Eventhough in these the unrest political climate, you still be able to share some of your thoughts with careful thinking yet clear and loud. As objective as it is, it is a factual speaking.
I do sincerely think you have the calibre of a great leader.
In my opinion, politics in Malaysia has gone way too much politicking rather than being a government that govern the people. There has to be a stop for all these madness; power-grabbing, power-hunger and etc. It is not like the old days where people venture into politics because Agama, Bangsa dan Negara. It is no longer serve the purpose. It is an open secret people venture into politics because of self-interest(which i do not have to elaborate further).
The current political turmoil is not necessary and a waste of energy, resources and time.
Of one unwanted event to another, i hope as a Malaysian, these leaders that we have, will seat down, take a deep and long breath, think.. think and think again… of what good deed have they achieved over almost these two trying years.
Dear All,
Let us reconcile with fact that all politicians say and do things which will benefit them only. In other words, they are out there to care for their own interests. UMNO was against the monarchy in 1987, 1993 and mosr recently as demonstrated in Terengganu and Perlis. The same UMNO Youth members were behaving hooligans like behaviour when the choice of Chief Ministers for the states were turned down by the respective Sultans. Today, the same bunch of rascals are chanting and shouting in the name of Daulat Tuanku instead of displaying banner like “Saya Mau Idris Yusof, Natang”. This is a clear demonstration of double standard that stings to high heaven.
For the longer term, I believe UMNO will eventually succumb to the will of the rakyat who are already extremely fed-up with its way of running the country.
dear tengku,
i am a teacher, a malay teacher to precise. I become a teacher because i admired how teachers are the one who raise the spirit of independence from its cradle the revered maktab perguruan sultan idris.
but lately the political scenario in our beloved country has left me in a quandary. i almost feel no sense of patriotism as if patriotism is a shameful feeling. I have been blessed with 5 kids, the eldest being 12 years old. i am so ashamed of country that i could not tell my children that the rukun negara is sacred. Once upon a time, i believed in the rukun negara but now it rang so hollow. when i look around, what i saw are opportunist acting like leaders, bumpkin who think they are teachers, zealots who walk as self-ordained prophets, thugs who are employed as police, plagiarist hailed as sage, judges intentionally manipulated the kings who failed their subject.
What should i tell my children about our country ( refused to add the prefix “great” to it). Where the rule of law is but an empty slogan. If the government could itself not respect the law then the only chance for the rakyat is a great social upheaval. It may not be bloodless but if that does the job why not. it is a disgrace to live the live of cowardice. i am a very peaceful man but i am seething with anger now. Our country is a farce. Please Tengku, wakeup! our children future are at stake.
This is not about from which political divide you are from. I think malaysia is at a turning point. Do you envision the best for this country. If the answer is yes, wake up. If not stay in your white palace or the bungalow u call home and watch the country burn. The signs are all around cant you see?
As for my kids, i pray that that they will never live to see people like our present leaders (sic) thrive like the lice that they really are.
Dear Tengku,
I am anticipating some move from you to tape the current political situation to gain your new found popularity and take the final chance to rise up to become Prime Minister.
In time of chaos, it is easy to be the new hero if you have the charisma and ideas that convinces the majority that YOU ARE INDEED THE ONE.
Do you still have the desire to be the top person in Malaysia?
I hope you can give an answer to those that put high hopes on you to prevail.
If you wish to just remain in the background and just to write blogs article which can’t put into effect unless you are in power, do let us know too. At least we know when to stop pushing you to do something, and respect your decision to remain just an indifferent UMNO assemblymen which speaks the right words, unfortunately to the wrong crowd.
Dear Tengku,
It is nice to read sound thinking from a statesman like your good self. I must admit that I am at this point so disheartened and skeptical of most of our Malaysian ‘gang’ of leaders who I feel are there purely for their selfish reasons where racism and religious and their personal intolerances are used to keep its people at bay. When will Malaysia ever be free to be all that we can be? I see u as a man that wants change and can also change. And that is why I’ve taken time to share my appreciation in the hope that one day Tengku will be part of that change for a greater Malaysia. A Malaysia for all Malaysians not just in rhetorically but in reality.
Can you imagine if a charismatic leader came along today in Malaysia that could truly capture the hearts and souls of most Malaysians because of hope and not through fear? “WOW!”, I say. And I also say … why not you, Tengku?
I continue in love and hope for a better Malaysia for all Malaysians.
Tengku;
Your principled stand among the UMNO politicians today is a breath of fresh air!
Would you not consider making a bold statement to the ruling elite of Malaysia; that the times have changed. The people no longer support a corrupt and desperate regime. That the Tengku has decided to thorw his support behind the Pakatan Rakyat.
My father studied in Belfast with you and he like you are principled men not easily bought or shaken by the temporal things of this world. Whatever you decide for the future of Malaysia I hope it will count for change.