A king is not defined by the crown he wears but by the actions he takes.
— Unknown
Wow! New Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar is indeed a breath of fresh air. He seems to strike all the right chords with many people, especially when he rebukes wayward politicians.
I love what I heard in the King’s first royal address to Parliament on Monday. The royal advice or warning, depending how one views it, is timely, long overdue in fact.
The King’s words were direct to the point; he knows how to ensure that his message is heard loud and clear. More importantly, that the content is understood and digested.
I especially love the Agong’s style of veering off his prepared text and speaking in the lingo of the simple man.
After rebuking Members of Parliament who have misbehaved, Sultan Ibrahim also went off the cuff to remind the lawmakers to keep their conduct in check.
“I am new here; it has been less than a month since I was appointed as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Thus, I will have to learn many things.
“(You will find) that my speech today is more ‘halus’ (subtle) compared to what I have said in my speeches in Johor.
“I am giving this chance so no one will get offended, but in the future, I hope you will be cautious,” he added.
Earlier, the King granted permission to the Dewan Rakyat speaker to suspend MPs who misbehave for up to 14 days.
Similarly, the Dewan Negara President can also do the same if the members of the upper house fail to observe decorum. (Please take note, Datuk Mutang Tagal.)
In his royal decree on Monday morning, His Majesty expressed displeasure over the past behaviour of MPs.
As legislators, he said it is ridiculous if the elected representatives themselves fail to respect rules and order.
“Mind your manners, be disciplined, be polite when speaking, and do not curse at others.
“Looking at how some MPs have behaved (in Parliament), I would be ashamed to go into this august house too,” he added.
I’m not sure how our MPs feel after this royal rebuke. Many would probably feel embarrassed at being told off like schoolkids not to misbehave while in class.
But there are always the thick-skinned politicians who feel no shame no matter how others think of their misbehaviour — not even when told that Parliament should not be an enclosure for monkeys.
In 2022, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah purchased a painting that depicted MPs as monkeys and frogs.
The work appears to be a derivative or inspired by a painting by English artist Banksy that portrayed the UK Parliament as a house of chimpanzees.
So, there you have it! I suppose politicians everywhere are more or less cut from the same cloth. However, the citizens must always remember that holding politicians accountable and promoting transparency and ethical conduct are essential for fostering trust in democratic institutions and promoting good governance.
Sultan Ibrahim was also correct to tell MPs, particularly those in the opposition, not to attempt another coup against the unity government, saying that he would not entertain such a move.
The King said everyone should respect the coalition government that has been formed and “should any of you want to play politics, then wait until the next election”.
Sultan Ibrahim urged all MPs to work together towards building the nation and serving the rakyat as the country’s success or failure should be on the shoulders of every elected representative.
Since the 14th general election in 2018 — which saw the BN ruling coalition defeated for the first time in 60 years — Malaysia had witnessed constant political realignment and coup attempts.
The political instability had led to three different prime ministers leading the country in a single Parliament term.
When a king rebukes politicians, it can have significant implications depending on the political system in place and the nature of the rebuke.
However, in a constitutional monarchy like Malaysia where the king’s powers are largely ceremonial and political authority rests with elected officials, a royal rebuke might be more symbolic in nature.
It could still carry some moral or public relations weight, especially if the king is held in high regard by the populace. I believe Sultan Ibrahim is in this category.
In any case, a king publicly rebuking politicians is likely to attract attention and scrutiny from both the media and the public, potentially influencing public opinion and political dynamics.
I, for one, would want to see Sultan Ibrahim continues tackle the bulls by its horns when it comes to dealing with politicians. I’m still waiting for his “decree” against corruption.
My message to self-serving lawmakers is this: “Don’t play play. New king means business. Misbehave at your own peril.”
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
