Rulers’ moral responsibility

All nine are Malay hereditary rulers with constitutionally defined role responsibility to preserve Malay culture and protect Islam; as they are heads of the religion in each of the nine states. While the constitution calls them Malays; they all have different ethnic backgrounds and origins from elsewhere. I am no historian and therefore will not venture to explain.

But, my tongue in cheek question: Is closing one eye to moral wrong-doing also one aspect of this Malay culture which they seek to equally preserve? How can these Malay rulers, who are our public representatives of Islam, ignore the human rights of non-Muslims as equal citizens?

Or, in real and objective terms, as constitutionally defined monarchs are they not equally responsible to protect and preserve rights and values of all citizens and their equally protected faith-systems?

The mufti of Pahang, in the name of Islam, has asked for an illegal act to be committed in the name of their Muslim faith. Such actions, if carried through, nevertheless violate the Federal Constitution and civil laws of the nation. Can we ignore such wrongs?

Umno’s bad example

Being in my sixth series, and having lived my entire life (except for seven years) in Malaysia, I find it amusing that Umno today can therefore publicly insult the Conference of Rulers. In Thailand, they would be charged with an offence against the nation-state. The Japanese would never even consider such an unacceptable decorum of misconduct. They would rather do ‘hara-kiri’.

Moreover, it appears now that the police, the attorney-general (AG), and all other public servants of this immoral regime do not even see any wrong-doing in this abuse and merely close one eye. Is such closing one eye on difficult matters or complex matters also now public Malaysian culture? What do I really mean?

The National Security Council (NSC) Act was rushed through Parliament even before it was properly presented to the Conference of Rulers. That is a fact. Then, it is being activated on Aug 1 even though the Conference of Rulers, rather independently and on their initiative, made a request for a review of selected sections.

My question: what does the rest of the nation-state and her citizenry learn from such obvious poor example of insulting of the dignity and honour of the incumbents and their royal status? Is that new and modern Malay culture now? Is this the culture of Umno Baru? No wonder, Dr Mahathir Mohamad wants to start a new party.

The Merdeka generation

In days past, during my father’s generation of pre-Merdeka fighters and soldiers, it was even an insult to appear disloyal to our flag or the nation-state; leave alone the rulers. For instance, when China or India played Malaysia in an Asian Football Tournament, the Malaysian fans of Chinese or Indian origin were expected to cheer only for the national team. No split loyalties were allowed or tolerated.

Today, when the national team plays Manchester United; frankly no one is expected to even cheer for the Malaysian team but instead half the stadium maybe filled with MU fans and supporters. No one questions such emotional loyalty to a brand or team any more. Maybe life, meaning of Malaysian citizenship, and our concept of loyalty may have shifted or changed or “as liberals call it, we may have ‘progressed’.”

But seriously, can we allow the Umno leadership to therefore insult our constitution and the Conference of Rulers? Why are such ignorance overlooked by all and sundry, and especially mainstream media?

Is this not a real and specific violation of our current and existing Rukunegara? Can and should all other citizen groups therefore be free to equally violate the Rukunegara at such will or fancy?

Own mould by 2020

In 1991, the nation under Dr Mahathir’s leadership launched Vision 2020 to meet the challenges of a Bangsa Malaysia. He defined nine specific challenges. Through it was also articulated the desire to be a developed nation in our own mould by 2020.

With less than four years to go, my question: what kind of a developed nation would/could we become, when the prime minister as our No 1; who has even sold the ideal the ideal of a 1Malaysia, is now the sole Malaysian Official being accused of being responsible for cheating and stealing from 1MDB? The US Justice Department (DOJ) saw it fit to file the case against this one code-named Malaysian Official 1.

Leadership and development

Folks, we all know that the fish always rots from the head. Does a country, which is also as an organic system, not also rot from the head downwards? Which then begs the other question who really is Malaysia’s Head of State?

Is it not the Agong? Are not each of the rulers designed to assume chairpersonship of the Rulers Conference and therefore the role of Agong of Malaysia? Even if only a symbolically assumed role at the federal level, is not our Agong of Malaysia protected and preserved by the same Malay culture and religion which they uphold in their states?

Or is our democratically elected head of one party, even if with the largest majority in Parliament above our constitution and Rule of Law? The only singular hint we have is also from the Prime Minister’s Department and the so-called ‘First Lady of Malaysia’ Office or Flom Office. To best of my knowledge, it is an unbudgeted but real office in the PMO. Even the consort of the Agong does not have a private office, so why does the Malaysian Official No 1’s wife have such an illegal and illegitimate office?

Is kleptocracy now our culture?

If we now promote a culture of discourtesy of royalty, stealing of tiles and roles, and theft of various forms, are we not doomed to that trajectory of a failed nation? The Americans called this fine art and culture kleptocracy.

If we allow such a culture of cheating, stealing and lying to prevail are we do then condemning the nation state to consequential trajectory of failures? I am sorry if I sound angry, I am. No apologies; truths do matter.

Official cheating, stealing, and lying cannot become part and parcel of our culture of developed-nation status. Surely, that was never the original 2020 intent. Why then do we find ourselves in such a quagmire?

Part 2: What’s in a name?