The role of the royal institution is not just “ceremonial”, says Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
Hitting out at critics in the wake of the menteri besar crisis, the sultan said his role in the state is to safeguard peace and prosperity of the state and its residents.
“As the rakyat were not made to understand the real functions of the sultan, the rakyat now believe that the royal institution is just a symbol, without any role or power under the Selangor constitution.
“I believe there are politicians who do not understand the role and powers of the royal institution, or they willfully misunderstand as I am convinced they have a different agenda,” the ruler said.
The hard-hitting speech, delivered at the swearing-in ceremony of the new state executive council (exco) members, was also highly critical of the conduct of Pakatan Rakyat parties during the crisis.
“This menteri besar crisis has opened my heart and mind, and shaped my views on the Selangor political situation.
“Politicians come and go. They serve for five years and can be replaced at the next general election, but I rule Selangor until the end of my life,” Sultan Sharafuddin said.
It was a statement that could only be described as arrogant and in it the Seangor Sultan revealed publicly his true feelings about his office, his resentment that he is indeed a ceremonial figurehead and his petulant refusal to accept these facts.
“I rule Selangor for life” he claims. Nonsense, Sultan Sharafuddin. The State is in fact ruled by its people, through those whom they elect to do that and this will not change while there is democracy of any kind in Malaysia.
So, best to accept the fact with dignity or else your job as it is is at risk.
Constitutional monarchs who accept this reality are usually treated with love and respect at heads of state in democratic countries, but beware the mood change if they try to overstep that mark.
Of course politicians have an agenda. They get elected like Pakatan or rejected like UMNO on how the voters see their plans for the State. No one knows what the Sultan thinks and, guess what, no one cares.
So be glad you still have your privileges, your possessions and the honorifics that attach to your office. These are constitutional gifts that did not have to be earned and the question of whether they are deserved or not does not, fortunately for you, arise.