We reproduce a commentary by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman about then premier Mahathir’s relationship with the Rulers in 1990.
I must express my deep disappointment that the Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad did not attend the Conference of Rulers held on 28 February 1990. He was out of the country at that time. The Deputy Prime Minister was also out of the country. And so the Yang Di Pertuan Agong had to be accompanied to the meeting by the Minister of Defence, Tengku Ahmad Rithaudeen.
This creates a very bad impression among the public. It conveys the feeling that the government and the monarchy are not working together. Indeed, people may even conclude that the government of Dr Mahathir is trying to boycott the Conference of Rulers.
According to Article 38 (3) of the Federal Constitution, it is very clear that whenever the Conference of Rulers deliberates on national matters, theYang Di Pertuan Agong shall be accompanied by the Prime Minister and the Rulers and the Governors shall be accompanied by their Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers respectively. This is an important aspect of protocal, an important procedure in the governance of Malaysia, which should be upheld.
When I was Prime Minister for 13 years frm 1957 to 1970, there was never an occasion that the Conference of Rulers met to discuss national matters, without the Prime Minister being around. If I could not be around, there was no Conference of Rulers.
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If the Prime Minister has to attend to some urgent matter abroad, then at least the Acting Prime Minister should accompany the Yang Di Pertuan Agong to the Conference. But the Deputy Prime Minister was away. There was no Acting Prime Minister. Why did they have a Conference of Rulers when both men were out of the country? Isn’t this disrespectful to the Rulers?
There is another episode which shows disrespect for the Rulers. On 19 March 1990, the Yang Di Pertuan Agong paid an official visit to the Prime Minister’s office. The Prime Minister was not there to receive him. It is the practice for the head of a particular Ministry to receive the Yang Di Pertuan Agong with full honours and accord a warm welcome to him.
On 17 April 1990, the Yang Di Pertuan Agong visited the Ministry of Home Affairs. Again, Dr Mahathir who is Minister of Home Affairs, absented himself. He did not receive the Yang Di Pertuan Agong. Instead, the Deputy Miniser of Home Affairs was there.
All these episodes have created confusion in the minds of the people as to Dr Mahathir’s motives. What is he up to? Why is he avoiding the Yang Di Pertuan Agong and the Rulers? Why is he transgressing established protocol and procedures in the relationship between our constitutional Monarchy and the government?
It would be nice if Dr Mahathir could give an explanation to the people so that we will know what is really happening between the Yang Di Pertuan Agong and the Rulers, on the one hand, and Dr Mahathir, on the other.
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- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Dear Saghir Ahmad,No offence. In future, please write in Bahasa as many readers don’t quite understand your standard of English and trying to make out what you are trying to say. Anyway, back to the subject matter. Dr M was trying to show his displeasure towards our Rulers at that time although that tantamount to showing disrespect. That is how I look at it.
Yes, people have done mistakes, but without apology, mistakes will not be forgotten. Secondly, it can serve as reminder, as the party that degraded the Rulers power also claim the other parties are disrespecting the rulers now?
…the shenanigan Mahathir was just trying to proof to the world what he thought of Agong…he was just showing what he thought of the Agong plus the rulers. In short he was just displaying what his real feeling was, not to mention that he was also responsible to take away some of their rights, no other P.M. did what he did. That is the kind of respect the shenanigan showed he had and still do …
Often the mere mention, or appearance or utterance of someone can be nauseating, especially someone detested in the international community; self-aggrandizing, super-racist, with no consideration for human-rights & equality – Mahathir.
Corrupt Malaysian leaderships cannot attract men of integrity; neither can they enact & foster laws to maintain high moral standards, transparency, performance & success in governments like leaders in of NZ & Singapore.
Alan Newman, NZ
Saudara Saghir,
I agree with Senior Citizen – its a timely reminder.
Mahathir destroyed Malaysia through all his systematic removal of checks and balances.
He turned Malaysia, a constitutional monarchy, into a politically controlled autocracy. It became nothing more than a legalised dictatorship.
Now all Malaysians have to pay the price for the decay and decline of our once great Nation. Peace Be With You.
Saghir Ahmad, I think I understand your confusion. Its an old story, blah, blah, blah. But your low standard of English confuses me back! Why don’t you brush up on English if you want to write in that language. And you should also refrain from writing in capital letters throughout, its not good etiquette.
Saghir Ahmad,
Have you not heard of the saying: “Those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it”? I’m glad Aliran brought this up to remind loyal citizens that abuse of power is simply bad for the country, yes everyone in the country.
WHY I COMMENT IN THIS ARTICLE , I HAVE FOLLOWING ALIRAN AND I ALSO TOOK SOME OF THE NEWS FROM ALIRAN AND COPY IT IN MY BLOG. AND NOW WE AS MALAYSIAN DIDNT SATISFIVE OF WHAT HAS TUN AND THIER GROUP HAVE DONE. PEOPLE DO MISTAKE BUT NOT TO BRING IT OUT AFTER HOW MANY YEARS HAVE PAST BY
WHY SHOULD ALIRAN BRING THIS STORY NOW WHAT IS THE MOTIF THIS OLD HISTORY. IS THAT ALIRAN DONT LIKE TUN MAHTHIR