There was a time when political Islam was at its strongest. Many of my contemporaries and aspiring politicians were looking at the Federal Constitution as secular and ought to be replaced.
Some went further by covertly or overtly advocating the formation of an Islamic Republic in Malaysia. That was after the downfall of King Shah of Iran as a result of student-led riots, turmoil, etc. in support of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, culminating in the declaration of Iran as an Islamic Republic in 1979.
That was back in the 80s and 90s, when political Islam was at its strongest. As a student leader and Secretary General to the pro-Pas President of UMSU (University of Malaya Student Union), I have to fight tooth and nail to maintain the multiracial and multicultural environment on campus and not be converted into another "Arabic” environment. Those were the days we had to fight to organise a convocation funfair, or "Pestaria Konvokesyen Kebajikan,” (Welfare Convocation Festival) in conjunction with the annual convocation to welcome parents and raise funds for the welfare of students.
We have to fight to have game stores, McDonald to set up stores, fight to hold Sudirman or Sharifah Aini Konsert Perdana, etc. in conjunction with our convocation funfair. In residential colleges, their open-day programmes will depend on who’s on the residential committee. For example, in the 7th Residential College, with leaders like Tan Sri Azhar "Art" Harun, Anas Zubedy and more, we have a chance to watch rock concerts by Search, whereas in the 4th Residential College, the non-Muslims have to leave the college during the open day to avoid the "Al Arqam” bazaar-like atmosphere during their open days.
Those were the days of radicalisation but political Islam took a downturn after the 911 tragedy. There was a sudden awakening that religious rhetoric and any form of extremism are bad.
That was also the time when the political attack was turned around and focused on the royal institution, which was entrenched in our federal constitution. The king and rulers are part and parcel of our legal system. Negativities were magnified and published in the media to paint a bad picture of our royalties, leading to an amendment of the federal constitution to reduce the powers and roles of the King and Rulers.
I am always a believer in the system and had the opportunity to express my belief that this country and nation need the umbrella of the King to hold us together. Ours is a young nation, rich with racial, religious, and cultural differences and emotions. Many times, civil riots or clashes between opposing political groups have destabilised the nation. This is particularly true in republics where there’s no king to avert or suppress any potential political clashes. The King acts as a cohesive force for national identity, unity, and pride that maintains stability and continuity.
Our present King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, is exemplary of the role of a constitutional monarchy. The King has averted the possible political clashes between Umno, Pas, Bersatu, and more, in the recent political developments of the country. It was the institution of the constitutional monarch that ensured a smooth transition of power from Barisan Nasional to Pakatan Harapan when there was a change of government for the first time in our history in 2018.
Thereafter, there has been political instability, leading to the change of three prime ministers within an electoral term. Our King has exercised his wisdom in managing the political leadership and averted potential civil riots or rampages by managing the change of three prime ministers.
In the post-15th General Election in 2022, the King stepped in again when there was a hung parliament. The people were again saved from a potential political crisis when the King ordered that a unity government be formed for the sake of the nation and the people. We were all saved from the continuous street rampages, water cannons, and protests that have plagued the country since 1999, leading to an economic downturn and losses for the nation for years.
God Save the King!
Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker is MCA former vice-president and former Deputy Youth and Sports Minister.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.