Yoursay: Power of the people, the gov’t and the royalty

YOURSAY | ‘Absolutism has no place in a progressive democracy. The rulers reign but do not rule.’

PM spells out hazards of giving rulers absolute power

Vijay47: This pesky issue of royalty and the role they play within the Constitution seems to have lost all substance and direction and turned on its head.

Every Tom, Dick, and Sonny, from those with vested interests to the idle rich hanging around supermarkets, seems to have an interpretation to offer. 

Hence why not me, though I am only idle and not rich nor given to frequenting neighbourhood shopping malls.

And to make difficult things even more difficult, there are those who believe that the ground they tread on is their personal turf. These are dangerous sentiments, as they suggest that they remain in the nation only by their indulgence, able to secede at a wave of their elegant hand.

To put this in the commoner’s language, such talk is treason and it is high time for the prime minister to come down hard, very hard, on those who threaten the delicate balance we have somehow achieved.

Unfortunately, the Malay feudal mindset, or more accurately, the Malay naivety, only perpetuates or even worsens the situation.

Their devotion is not focused on royalty alone, they appear to have an inexplicable undying love affair with crooks, thieves, rascals and assorted antisocials.

Otherwise, how can we explain Malay loyalty to the very persons who robbed them, even as these messiahs proclaim from the ramparts how they would protect race and religion? And yes, royalty.

VoteOfOne: It may be soon enough self-serving politicians would pander ideas to empower the royal houses. Powers that supposedly inseparable but entwined in history and religion of the Malay race. It can start with their immunity to any laws of the land.

There will be politicians who will use democracy to achieve that purpose by using that empowerment as part of their next electoral manifesto. Anyone against the idea is summarily deemed as anti-Islam and anti-Malay. 

Once the ballot gives them the mandate, 'the people have spoken'.

We have seen that being done with the Sedition Act 1948 already. Malaysia doesn't have a specific lèse-majesté law like in Thailand, but who needs it when there's always the Sedition Act?

The feudalistic mindset is an excuse. It is never part of genetics, but brainwashing. And, brainwashing is easy when so many are willing to be 'protected' by these so-called defenders; there are gracious freebies that come with the protection.

This insults our forefathers who worked so hard to get this country independence; only to be destroyed by their descendants. 

The minority non-Malays couldn't even make the same feudal claim as all royal houses are Malays. But they watch in horror as this is how things seemed to be unfolding.

Mission Accomplished: By and large, Malaysians, especially the kampung folk, still harbour the thought that the royals are one big majestic tree that will protect them from the rain and sun. How wrong they are.

When the former Umno-BN kleptocracy was plundering the nation coffers until the country faced close to bankruptcy, the people pleaded with the men in yellow for help – what was the outcome?

They ignored their subjects completely, not even a whisper of concern. How sad.

Honest: And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why Dr Mahathir Mohamad is our beloved prime minister again. He speaks without fear or favour. He is pragmatic and realistic. He does not mince words, and he can simplify a complicated situation to be easily understood by commoners.

I may not agree with him all the time, but I think he is very sincere in fixing Malaysia from all the damages of poor governance by our recent ex-prime ministers. How I wish he was 20 years younger.

Rick Teo: If the state constitution is ambiguous as to who should select the menteri besar, then change it. 

We are a democratic country with a constitutional monarch. The monarch has no business selecting a menteri besar subservient to the palace.

Once and for all, make it clear that it is the party with the most seats that has the right to select the menteri besar. And avoid submitting three names. Just submit one name. Period.

Drngsc: On this issue, Mahathir is absolutely right. Either we have parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, or death of parliamentary democracy and absolute monarchy. The people must decide.

We respect the rulers but the rulers must also respect the constitution, and not go against the Federal Constitution.

The Way It Was: Mahathir is spot on when he said the constitution is supreme and the people choose their leaders.

We are not a feudal absolute monarchy and our rulers, the sultans, act on the advice of the prime minister and menteri besar of the respective states. We are a constitutional monarchy and the party or coalition that won power has the right to pick its leaders.

The royalty needs to be reminded that they are not above the law and that they are supported by the taxpayers’ money to the tune of hundreds of millions to sustain their royal roles, positions and privileges.

Where were all these royals who are so vocal now when then-premier Najib Razak and his band of thieves were allegedly stealing billions from the country blind? They knew and said nothing and even said not to change the crew and boat before GE14, preferring the crooks and thieves.

Quigonbond: Mahathir has finally found his calling as second-time prime minister. Setting the constitutional parameters straight with the rulers is one of the most important unwritten reform agenda.

In a larger context, it relates to the rule of law, not rule by decree. Umno has for so long corrupted some members of the royal households.

If this continues, there could potentially be an uprising of sorts against certain rulers. Mahathir is, in fact, saving the august institution from being besmirched by a few loose cannons.

Gerard Lourdesamy: I agree 100 percent with Mahathir. The rulers should be respected for the sake of history, tradition and continuation but they must act within the constitution and in accordance with the rule of law.

Feudalism and absolutism have no place in a progressive democracy in the 21st century. The rulers reign but do not rule. Their first priority must be to serve the rakyat and secondly, to ensure proper governance in their name.

Amassing wealth and privilege for themselves, their children and relatives should not be the purpose of any just and fair ruler.

Unspin: The royal institution, in particular the Johor palace, should realise that "with great power comes great responsibility."

If they want to have the final say in appointing the MB, they must be prepared to take responsibility if the person that they pick performs badly. If they are wrong, they cannot simply wash their hands and blame it on someone else.

Peace: There are many things I disagreed with Mahathir, but I fully agreed with him on this democratic issue. Otherwise, what is the point of having elections?

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