Royal decree should be viewed as guidance, not political interference - Tengku Zafrul

SHAH ALAM - The decree by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, should not be viewed as political interference, but rather as advice and guidance rooted in the Ruler’s responsibility to safeguard the state’s stability and the well-being of its people, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s senior political adviser, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said.

He said the decree should be understood within the proper framework of the Constitutional Monarchy system, which has long served as a pillar of the nation’s stability.

"In the Constitutional Monarchy tradition practised in our country, a royal decree is a reminder born out of the wisdom of the royal institution, expressed for the good of the state and the people as a whole. It is not a ‘decree’ or directive in the sense wrongly interpreted by certain political leaders.

"Therefore, the Selangor ruler’s decree should be viewed in a broader spirit of strengthening unity and bringing together Malaysia’s multiracial society amid an increasingly challenging and uncertain global environment,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Tengku Zafrul said Sultan Sharafuddin’s decree was not solely about Malay unity, but rather how the strength of the Malays and Islam should serve as the foundation of national stability while continuing to protect the interests of all races and religions.

"We must also understand and appreciate the reality that in a multiracial society like Malaysia, championing the interests of one community cannot be done by sidelining others.

"The true strength of a nation does not lie in who speaks the loudest, but in the ability of its people to live together with mutual respect and trust,” he said.

As such, he said Sultan Sharafuddin’s decree should be seen as a call to unite the people, strengthen harmony and steer both the state and nation away from divisive politics driven by narrow agendas.

He also reminded all parties not to politicise the issue in ways that could strain relations among leaders and affect harmony among the people of Selangor.

Tengku Zafrul said amid growing global uncertainty, including challenges linked to the energy crisis and global supply disruptions, Malaysia needed mature politics capable of building public confidence and ensuring stability.

"Continuous focus must be given to strengthening institutions, fostering unity and building bridges of understanding among races, instead of fuelling division that could ultimately destroy and destabilise our nation and people.

"Let us continue to uphold and embody the five principles of the Rukun Negara as the foundation for a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous society,” he said. - BERNAMA