Wise words: Sultan Sharafuddin being interviewed by the writer. The Selangor Ruler says political leaders should avoid using state rights as a tool for short-term political gains or rhetoric. — Bernama
THE reminder from Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah that states should avoid pushing their rights in ways that overshadow or undermine national interests is timely and insightful, especially in the current political climate.
Discussions about federal–state relations have become increasingly prominent in recent times and certainly no one understands and realises the importance of state rights better than the Sultan of Selangor.
But as His Royal Highness correctly said, there is a need for balance, wisdom, and perspective in navigating the delicate relationship between state autonomy and national identity.
Last week, the Selangor Ruler expressed concern over the practice of certain states in amplifying state rights, saying there must be an awareness of broader national interests.
The principles of state sovereignty and local self-governance, he said, were fundamental for any state – “but they must not go overboard”.
“It is essential that states exercise their rights with an awareness of the broader national interest.
“The strength of the nation depends not only on the autonomy of its individual states but also on the cohesion and stability of the union as a whole,’’ he said in an interview with Bernama.
Certainly, it is understandable that states which are rich in mineral resources would want to get better royalties.
Some have complained that they have been left out of development and that it is time that they get what they deserve or were promised.
The Federal Government has been left in a quandary – the country is no longer as rich as it used to be.
We are still struggling to pay off debts from the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) financial scandal, which have not been fully settled. The total financial obligations exceed RM50bil, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat.
The government, he said, had already paid RM42bil to settle 1MDB debts, principal, and interests, and commitments from 2018, adding that only RM29bil could be financed through funds derived from 1MDB asset recovery out of the RM42bil paid by the government.
States may not be concerned about this as it is not their problem but it shows how such debt repayment has caused a drain on Federal Government coffers.
Money which would have been used for the rakyat has gone instead to meeting such financial obligations. To put in simple English, Malaysia is struggling to manage its coffers as a result of the colossal theft.
While it is easy to make federal leaders the punching bags, it should also be asked whether past state leaders themselves had carried out their responsibilities and duties diligently.
But in any federation, as in other countries, differing needs, identities, and priorities among states are inevitable.
States naturally want greater control over their own resources, development strategies, and administrative powers.
These aspirations are legitimate and form an important part of Malaysia’s democratic and constitutional landscape.
However, when demands become overly aggressive or are framed in ways that challenge the spirit of national solidarity, they risk creating friction not only between state and federal institutions but also among citizens.
Let’s not forget that whether we are from Selangor, Johor, Sabah, Sarawak or Kelantan, we all carry Malaysian passports. We are all Malaysians.
Without the Federation of Malaysia, regardless of where we come from, the respective states on their own are nothing.
State demands and rhetoric help win votes, but politicians need to get back to reality once the elections are over.
That means they should not over-promise or raise unrealistic expectations they know cannot be delivered.
The Sultan’s message underscores that Malaysia’s strength lies in cooperation and shared responsibility. Whether we like it or not, state leaders and the Federal Government must work in tandem, seeking solutions that address regional disparities while ensuring stable governance at the national level.
Excessive decentralisation, if pursued without coordination, can weaken common policies, fragment national planning, and foster competition rather than complementarity.
On the other hand, if federal leaders ignore local needs and sentiments, it can also breed dissatisfaction and hinder development. This is precisely why balance is crucial.
Tuanku’s remarks serve as a reminder that political leaders should avoid using state rights as a tool for short-term political gains or rhetoric.
Instead, these issues should be approached with statesmanship, guided by constitutional princi-ples and a long-term vision for Malaysia’s prosperity. Construc-tive dialogue, rather than confrontation or unilateral demands, is what leads to enduring solutions.
Ultimately, the Sultan’s call is a reminder that Malaysia’s future depends on unity, cooperation, and mutual respect across all levels of leadership.
State autonomy and national interests are not opposing forces; they are interconnected pillars that, when managed with wisdom and moderation, can strengthen the country’s governance and ensure equitable progress for all Malaysians.
As HRH rightly reminded us, “We must understand that state pride is important, but we must not forget that we all belong to one big Malaysian family. Sacrifices must be made for national interests’.’
