IT WAS a short speech but enough to keep the audience – including even the newly sworn-in Selangor state leaders at Istana Alam Shah – at the edge of their seats, hanging on to every word.
The Sultan of Selangor certainly made no apologies for his no-holds barred address at the swearing-in ceremony for the Mentri Besar and executive committee on Monday and spoke up for his subjects, many of whom shared his thoughts.
To politicians in general, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said the people were tired of politics and he too was tired of listening.
He told politicians to ‘’wake up” and to think about the future of the state and country.
His Royal Highness was clearly frustrated, as with most Malaysians, at the endless politicking – even nine months after the general election.
But he was most upset with politicians who used harsh language and dragged the royal institution into their political campaigns.
The Ruler said such disrespect from these individuals had crossed the lines of decorum for Muslims and Malays.
If these politicians got carried away during campaigning for the state elections, their supporters were no better as some comments on social media were not just rude and crude – they were seditious.
The law on comments against the royal institution is clear. These people have not just crossed the line but have violated the law. Certainly, the police would know who these culprits are.
If no action is taken against them, it would make a mockery of the law and even give the impression that authorities are reluctant to act against them – especially those holding positions and seemingly untouchable.
His Royal Highness reminded these individuals: “Don’t think just because one assumes one is popular, one can belittle anyone with a different political viewpoint to the point of coming to Selangor and hurling insults that cross the line.’’
Tuanku made no reference to anyone, but it was apparent he meant Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor who had allegedly insulted Sultan Sharafuddin by questioning the appointment of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Sultan Sharafuddin’s rebuke came just a day after Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, urged members of the royal court and Perak territorial chiefs, to help prevent and contain sensationalised matters concerning race, religion and royalty.
He warned that these 3R issues, which were currently being sensationalised and politicised, could affect the country’s stability, development efforts and economy, if left unchecked.
Over the past few months, the Malay Rulers have privately expressed their concerns over the kind of politics taking place in Malaysia. Unlike the past, the royal institution was never a part of any campaigning.
But the directive by the Rulers against the use of mosques for political talks has probably made some politicians unhappy.
At least one political leader has snubbed the rule and proceeded to speak at a mosque, which did not fail to get the attention of the Rulers.
But Sultan Sharafuddin also had a message to the newly elected Selangor executive councillors, including the Mentri Besar.
He was clearly frustrated at the state government’s inability to resolve Selangor’s endless flood problems.
It has taken too long. It would not be wrong to say that the state leaders must be held accountable for their inability to resolve this. It’s a shame, really.
The Ruler asked: “What is the point of taking pride in economic achievements and the status of being a rich state with the highest gross domestic product in Malaysia when the basic needs of the people cannot be met effectively?’’
His Royal Highness also asked if there was an awareness that Selangor in recent times had fallen behind in terms of investment and export value of goods compared to Penang, Johor and even Sarawak.
That isn’t the end of it. Many Selangorians have expressed unhappiness at the deteriorating cleanliness upkeep in the state.
The impression is that some local councils are indifferent and not performing at par to keep Selangor clean.
Klang, for example, may be made a city soon but has continuously been marred by dirt and messiness – it is pathetic that the royal town carries the tagline “Indah dan Permai “ when it is unable to live up to it.
It is arguably the dirtiest town in Selangor and no mentri besar has been able to clean up this 133-year-old town.
Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) is capable of ‘’providing excellent services and top-notch infrastructure facilities and public utilities.’’
The Minister must probably be reading from a prepared speech because most Selangorians would be downright skeptical.
Even in Tropicana Indah, residents are fuming that they could lose a green lung – the PKNS-owned public golf course – starting with a relocation of a club house next to residential homes.
With 22 Opposition assemblymen headed by former MB Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, the people of Selangor certainly hope to see a strong check and balance.
The Pakatan Harapan state government has had an easy past five years with a super majority. Not anymore.
As the Sultan of Selangor said, he wants to see Selangor great again. Our elected representatives need to spend more time on the ground instead of their offices, or worse, at the golf courses.
