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Social contract means compromise, Selangor Sultan explains PDF Print
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Sunday, 07 December 2008 18:37
By Leslie Lau, Consultant Editor (The Malaysian Insider)

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 - The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has defined the social contract as compromise between the rulers and subjects as well as between Malays and non-Malays.

He also said that the Malay community should not make accusations about their rights and position being challenged.

Instead, the Malays should ask themselves if they have acted accordingly, he said while citing the recent flap over the fatwa on yoga.

"Malays must ask themselves why," the Sultan said.

"For example the yoga issue. One side speaks. Pam Pam Pam. Non-Malays start interfering. The source of it is that we are wrong for not following procedures. We make noise before we even do something correctly.

"We must know where the mistake is. We cannot make accusations. When we do something without following procedure everyone will be in a muddle."

The Sultan was speaking in an interview with Mingguan Malaysia published today.

It is the second time in a week the Sultan has spoken out on race relations and religious issues.

The remarks come amid a heated debate sparked by a raft of recent public comments about race relations and the concept of Malay Supremacy.

His comments are also the latest sign of a more vocal royalty which appears to be filling the vacuum left by a lack of political leadership.

In the interview with Mingguan Malaysia, the Sultan was also asked his opinion on how the issue of Ketuanan Melayu, or Malay Supremacy, which the newspaper described as a concept which for the Malays, was tied to the royalty, but which the non-Malays had other views.

He would not be drawn in, however, to the debate, pointing out instead that he did not know how to answer such questions because "we are the Malays, the sultans are Malays so why must it be brought up?"

"We must focus on more important issues such as the education, economy and income of the Malays."

The Sultan said he did not understand the restlessness, as described by the newspaper, regarding Malay rights.

He suggested it may all just be politics, adding: "that is why I do not understand politics. The proverb ada udang disebalik batu (having a hidden agenda), I don't understand all that."

But the Sultan pointed out that it was important for the sake of race relations for the public to know their history.

That was the reason why he it was his initiative to have the recent Conference of Rulers issue a statement defending the social contract, which has also been the subject of roiling debate recently.

In his interview with Mingguan Malaysia, the weekend edition of the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia daily, the Sultan spoke of the social contract that needed to be understood.

"Previously no one spoke of the social contract but it did not mean they were ignorant.

"What is the social contract? It is compromise, between the people and the royalty, the Malays with the Chinese and the Malays with the Indians."

Asked about the a recent suggestion by Tunku Naquiyuddin ibni Tuanku Jaafar for royal immunity to be restored, he said it was entirely up to the public.

"If the people feel that I am entitled I will accept it and I will do my best. I am not making any request for it.

The Sultan added that perhaps a conditional immunity should be considered.

"I do not agree in having immunity from paying my debts or from assaulting someone until the public does not get any justice," he said.

He suggested instead that royal immunity be granted for the rulers to speak out on issues.

Tunku Naquiyuddin's suggestion for a restoration of royal immunity, was described by Mingguan Malaysia an attempt to challenge Ketuanan Melayu and Malay rights, although the Negeri Sembilan regent had said only that it was to place the Malay rulers back on par with other constitutional monarchs around the world.

Tunku Naquiyuddin had also argued that royal immunity needed to be "reclaimed and reinstated so that the constitutional monarchy can be restored to its full sovereignty so as to play a more fitting role in the 21st century as a guardian of the Federal Constitution."

It was former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who led the charge against constitutional monarchy in the late 1980s and 1990s. Around 1992, the media exposed the excesses of the royalty and their extravagant lifestyle.

It so happened that a hockey coach was assaulted by a member of the Johor royalty. This unleashed a wave of public anger against the Rulers and culminated in Parliament, amending the Constitution and withdrawing royal immunity.

The personal immunity of Rulers was removed, except for the legal process relating to the performance of their duties.

Some Malaysians have also questioned the timing of Tunku Naquiyuddin's statement on reinstating the full immunity of the monarchy. His father, the Ruler of Negeri Sembilan was recently in the dock in a legal tussle with a bank.

A special court ruled that Tuanku Jaafar Tuanku Abdul Rahman had to pay Standard Chartered Bank nearly US$1 million to honour his commitment in a letter of credit over a business deal.

This was the first time the special court had heard a case involving a member of the royalty.

Comments (16)Add Comment
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written by Fuminari, December 07, 2008 19:04:24
""""I do not agree in having immunity from paying my debts or from assaulting someone until the public does not get any justice," he said.

He suggested instead that royal immunity be granted for the rulers to speak out on issues."""
DYMM,many malaysian would definitely support on this matter.
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written by Motherchell, December 07, 2008 19:27:57
There has come a time when the Rulers will have to put their foot down to stamp out the saturation and polarization of Mullah forces in the Country who have no respect for the Laws of the Land .

The World doesn't see Malaysia as a progressive Nation anymore with the ultras running wild . The placards at the last election in Trengganu showed the level of respect shown by the locals in the words used against our esteemed KING .
No one ever questioned the rights of the Malays ! No one ever took away any piece of land from them !! IT IS THE ONES THEY VOTED , LIKE ALBAR , MAHATHIR -------WHO LOST PRECIOUS LANDS OF MALAYSIA as controlling leaders!!!

THEY gave AWAY specific RIGHTS! They gave away Singapore , Batu Puteh because they could not think in the name of Nation building. After they lost the dominions they come back and shackled their own people who were cheated of freedom and justice-- they covered all their ills because to them it was only money and power that they wanted !!

Look at the way Ibrahim Ali insults his teachings in Parliament ! Seeing all this happen --- the time has come to stop the forces of evil perpetrated by the govt in the name of rights lost!!

http://sjsandteam.*********.com/
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written by educationist, December 07, 2008 19:55:05
"...This unleashed a wave of public anger against the Rulers and culminated in Parliament, amending the Constitution and withdrawing royal immunity." Perhaps I'm aging but that was not my recall of events leading to the withdrawal of royal immunity.
It was part of a concerted campaign by Dr M after crippling the judiciary to ensure the Rulers cannot question his autocractic rule.
Royal immunity was just one of victims of the purge!
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written by densemy, December 07, 2008 20:28:49
Malays are NOT allowed to ask themselves why
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..., Lowly rated comment [Show]
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written by ahmadneil, December 07, 2008 21:15:16
Why can't malays be corrected!
Why can't malays be told that they are wrong!
Why can't malays admit that they have failed!
Why can't malays stand up and say we want meritocracy!
Why can't malays say to hell with NEP1
Why can't malays say we can compete with the Chinese and other races!
Why can't the malays say 'Don't wait for us!'
Why can't the malays say 'Yes, we can'!
Why can't the malays say we will change for the better!
Why,Why,Why,Why, and I don't don't how many why will be enough!God save them!
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written by DreamLady, December 07, 2008 21:41:27
Daulat Tuanku, His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Selangor has shown in many ways his grave concern for his rakyat, and the uncertainty faced by the people at large.

Our prayers are finally answered, as his royal highness emerges quite often of late to straighten things up here and then on our behalf. I am sure he knows what we are facing and the impending problems created by the ruling party for the people of malaysia...

We have our Almighty to be thankful of WHO graces us with an upright ruler to be our saviour. !!!

Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku! Daulat Tuanku !!
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written by SeriousLy, December 07, 2008 23:00:36
I don't have to read the whole article, just scrape through a few sentences! Though it is good beginning. My question: WHO IS THE MOST COMPROMISING PERSON OR RACE?
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written by temenggong, December 08, 2008 01:34:17
I do not accept that there is a social contract. In my view, such a thing does not exist.

There are some parties that are using this term to bunker their position.

Looks like many of us are reading the constitution differently.
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written by temanmu, December 08, 2008 06:12:26
If full immunity granted the Raja-raja will become Maharajalela!
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written by Arubin, December 08, 2008 07:06:10
This is probably going to get me voted down, but I have NEVER understood why a developing country needs to sustain NINE different royal families when developed nations with even stronger economies have pared down or even eliminated funding their royalty which is normally limited to only ONE family.

You want to talk about Malay incomes? I think the Malays will be far richer and more progressive by now if so much government funding weren't wasted each year instead of being spent on their education and development. IMHO, a massive expenditure on royal stipends is a good example of such wastage.
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written by ROBERTNGTG, December 08, 2008 10:19:09
"If the people feel that I am entitled I will accept it and I will do my best. I am not making any request for it.

The Sultan added that perhaps a conditional immunity should be considered.

"I do not agree in having immunity from paying my debts or from assaulting someone until the public does not get any justice," he said.

He suggested instead that royal immunity be granted for the rulers to speak out on issues.

DAULAT TUANKU, U ARE TRULY A PEOPLES' RULER AND MY RULER. HOPE THIS WILL MAKE THE DEFACTO DICTATOR AND ALL THE AMENO GOONS SHUT UP.
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written by CPY, December 08, 2008 10:28:05
The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has defined the social contract as compromise between the rulers and subjects as well as between Malays and non-Malays.

He also said that the Malay community should not make accusations about their rights and position being challenged.

Instead, the Malays should ask themselves if they have acted accordingly, he said while citing the recent flap over the fatwa on yoga.


Your highness, you have shown great wisdom to your subjects. This compromise can works only for a certain period. Then a new form of treaty must be signed. Obviously, the Malays need some special help, at the same time, it must not affect the interest of the non-malays. The NEP has failed to improve the Malays lot. Furthermore, we have the worst income gap in Southeast Asia. i as your loyal subject understand the social effects of income gap, which is further magnified by the colour lens in our eyes.
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written by cheekhiaw, December 08, 2008 12:30:34
Good men do not need immunity for their actions. Only devils need it.

xxx
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written by borneoman, December 08, 2008 20:35:33
very nicely put,cheekhiaw. smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/cheesy.gif
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written by fireduck, December 09, 2008 17:12:11
His comments are also the latest sign of a more vocal royalty which appears to be filling the vacuum left by a lack of political leadership.


I totally agree. This is actually Tuanku taking the initiative to calm his rakyat, and provide a sense of direction, in view of the total lack of leadership coming form the Abdullah govt. I support my Sultan in playing a more active role in advising and guiding us through this trying period. He is a source of level-headedness and reason.
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