SHAH ALAM - Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has called on all parties to end divisive politics following the end of state polls.
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Political Science Association Professor Dr Syaza Shukri said it is better for the country to unite after the elections as Sultan Selangor calls for the end of divisive politics.
"It is time to come together to work on the country. Elections are over,” she said.
Syaza added Sultan’s message was timely but it remains uncertain if politicians will heed the call.
"The reduction in assemblymen calls for the current Selangor government to start working right now.
She added Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and the government can withstand Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) rise and attack if they focus on people.
"They should focus on helping the people, prioritising welfare, equitable development for Selangor and overall a better and clearer messaging,” she expressed.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) deputy director Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), Professor Dr Kartini Aboo Talib said Selangor Sultan timely reminder is for state assemblymen to end political bickering and start serving Selangor residents.
These issues include high cost of living, unemployment, flooding, water supply problems, illegal factory operations, environmental hazards, urban poverty, and marginalised indigenous communities.
"The issue of illegal factories operating in Selangor affects the river and water supply.
"Environmental hazards should be on Selangor's list of priorities.This is Amirudin’s second term as MB. He would be able to wheel the resources wisely,” she said.
She said PN should be celebrated as a check and balance body in Selangor.
"With intelligent and diligent opposition, their role of crucial in scrutinising Amirudin and his state assembly members to be agile and alert.
"This is the form of democracy that should be welcomed," she added.
Meanwhile, Singapore Institute of International Affairs senior fellow Dr Oh Ei Sun said rulers are above politics, and most people hope that politics could be conducted in a civilised and polite manner.
"They will find it increasingly difficult to cope, with PN now taking up 40 per cent of state seats and likely to advance its conservative agenda which is difficult to resist without offending the PN supporters who are increasing in numbers,” he said.
Recently, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah slammed politicians for using disrespectful langauge and dragging the royal institution into their speeches.
His Majesty had said such actions reflect a decline in respect for the royal institution and the Malay Sultanate, which had historically protected the interests of the Muslim community, Malays and other ethnicities.