KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Secretary-General of Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Central Leadership Council member, G Sivamalar has urged all parties, including former Damansara MP Tony Pua, to exercise caution when discussing issues involving the Rukun Negara and the Federal Constitution.
She said matters touching on the foundations of the nation must be approached carefully, fairly and within the broader framework of Malaysia’s constitutional system rather than from a narrow perspective that supports only certain viewpoints.
According to Sivamalar, the preamble of the Rukun Negara clearly emphasises national unity, the preservation of a democratic way of life, justice, respect for cultural diversity and the building of a progressive society.
She said these principles move in tandem with Malaysia’s Constitutional Monarchy framework, which forms part of the nation’s identity and should not be trivialised or narrowly interpreted for political purposes.
“No one is suggesting that Malaysia is governed through arbitrary royal decrees as has been implied.
“That is merely a strawman argument (distorting the original issue to make it appear more extreme) which does not help the public understand the realities of Malaysia’s constitutional system,” she said in a statement today.
Sivamalar said the views of the late Sultan Azlan Shah in his essay The Role of Constitutional Rulers remain highly relevant in understanding the role of Constitutional Monarchy in Malaysia.
“A king is a king, whether he is an absolute or constitutional monarch. But it is a mistake to think that the role of a king in a constitutional monarchy is confined to what is laid down by the Constitution. His role far exceeds those constitutional provisions,” she quoted.
She said the view serves as a reminder that Malaysia’s Constitutional Monarchy carries a broader role, value and spirit beyond a literal reading of legal texts.
According to her, political leaders who issue statements perceived as questioning royal decrees or royal admonitions are not merely expressing political disagreement, but may also be seen as disrespecting the spirit of the Rukun Negara, particularly the principle of Loyalty to King and Country.
Sivamalar said Malaysia requires mature discussions grounded in facts and a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s constitutional framework without undermining the harmony of the Royal Institution.
“The people today are wise enough to assess statements fairly and all of us share the responsibility to ensure public discourse continues to be guided by wisdom, respect for institutions and the spirit of national unity,” she said. -MalayaDailyToday
