Royal institution should not be used to gain political mileage - Analyst

SHAH ALAM - Political leaders are reminded not to touch matters relating to the position and role of Malay Rulers in any political dispute.

Universiti Malaya's socio-political analyst, Associate Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, said that the 3R issue (religion, royalty, and race) is a sensitive topic that involves constitutional issues as well as national interests.

According to him, it can trigger negative perceptions of the royal institutions, such as unfairness and favouring certain parties.

"Thirdly, the royal institution seems to have no integrity. This is very dangerous. Like the case of caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor) against the Sultan of Selangor, the understanding or interpretation of the statement may vary.

"We know that a person's background is different, so the interpretation is also different, but when the issue is disputed, it seems as if the view on the royal institution has become negative," he told Sinar Harian.

The media previously reported that Sanusi, in a series of talks organised by Perikatan Nasional (PN), was accused of making statements that were allegedly insulting to the Sultan of Selangor.

On Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, when contacted, confirmed that Sanusi was at a hotel in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, early Tuesday morning.

Awang, meanwhile, said Sanusi's prosecution should be a lesson to all parties, especially political parties.

"At the same time, the government, such as the National Security Agency, needs to be more strict in dealing with issues like this so that they will not spread for the worse.

"Political parties, regardless of ideology, need to remind and guide their leaders and middle-level and grassroot members not to touch on sensitive issues," he said.

He added that the role and importance of royal institutions are far greater than the interests of individuals or certain political leaders.

"It is an institution respected by the country that plays a role and is even considered the last stronghold of the Malays. It must be ensured that it is not disturbed by any party using such sentiments.

"Big or small is not the main thing. What matters is that the issue is not used solely to show the leader's strength or weakness, which involves the royal institution," he explained.