The Malay Rulers should be lauded for their expression of concern over the eroding unity and harmony in Malaysia, in light of racially controversial issues that have taken place of late.
Malaysians are entitled to ask why the pin-drop silence from the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Cabinet in the last two days and whether the concern of the Malay Rulers was top of the agenda of the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday, and if not, why not; and if yes, the outcome of such Cabinet deliberations.
Praises and support have come from flooding in from all quarters in Malaysia concerned that the 60th anniversary of the attainment of Merdeka in 1957 and the 54th Malaysia Day anniversary are marked by the rise of forces of extremism, intolerance and bigotry and the muting, even abdication, of the role of the Malaysian Government to uphold the moderate and inclusive character of Malaysia as enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution.
It would appear that the Cabinet Ministers have forgotten not only the bedrock principles of nation-building enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution, they have forgotten or completely lost sight of the nation-building principles of Rukunegara referred to in the Malay Rulers’ statement.
The Malay Rulers said that “As a religion that encourages its followers to be respectful, moderate, and inclusive, the reputation of Islam must not ever be tainted by the divisive actions of certain groups or individuals which may lead to rifts among the rakyat”.
The Malay Rulers want Malaysians to continue to follow the core principles embedded in the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara which was drafted on the bedrock that the diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds in Malaysia must be respected.
The Malay Rulers stressed that the Rukun Negara “must continue to serve as a compass to all parties, be they leaders, government officials and citizens of our country” as “Unity among Malaysia’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious people is key to ensuring the country’s ongoing stability”.
Are all political parties represented in Parliament prepared to reaffirm their support and allegiance to the Malaysian Constitution and the Rukunegara when Parliament reconvenes on Oct. 23?
I know there are MPs who do not support the Rukunegara.
Clearly, Najib’s initiative for a Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) have again proven to be neither global, a movement or moderate, first by the resignation of the founding CEO of GMM, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah who presently heads the Pakatan Harapan secretariat and now by the Malay Ruler’s statement of concern.
When will Najib and the government break their silence on the Malay Rulers’ Statement?