The Islamic Republic Of Malaysia To Replace The Constitutional Monarchy?
So, in 1986, Umno and BN were at their strongest. But when Mahathir turned on the Rulers, the Malays rallied behind the Rulers and not behind Umno and BN. And because of that, in the 1990 general election, Umno’s seats dropped to 39% and BN’s dropped to 71%.
NO HOLDS BARRED
DAP says the protest against the King in Thailand can also happen in Malaysia. It is a sort of subtle warning to His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong that there may also be an effort to abolish the Malaysian monarchy and turn Malaysia into a republic.
Of course, these Pakatan Harapan people assume if the monarchy is abolished then Malaysia would be called the Republic of Malaysia, just like the Republic of Singapore. But then, if Malaysia’s monarchy is abolished, Malaysia might be turned into the Islamic Republic of Malaysia, just like what happened in Iran when they ousted the Shah and abolished the monarchy.
These Pakatan Harapan people assume it would be up to Parliament to decide. How do they know? Have they looked into this matter properly? What if the Conference of Rulers make a unanimous decision that they wish to abolish the monarchy in favour of an Islamic republic?
Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed by the Agong and to dispute that is to challenge the Agong
Most Malaysians, even lawyers included, think that the Federal Constitution of Malaysia decides everything.
That is not so. If it is so then it would be illegal to pass the Petroleum Development Act 1974 because that Act of Parliament violates the Malaysian Agreement and the Merdeka Agreement before that. And any law passed after Merdeka that violates the 1957 Constitution is rendered null and void.
Hence the Federal Constitution of Malaysia is not really binding.
How many Malaysians realise that nationalising oil and gas is illegal, even with the Petroleum Development Act 1974? So, the Federal Constitution of Malaysia can be bypassed when they want to.
Hence be very careful.
Furthermore, there are certain matters such as the position of the Rulers, Malay customs and traditions, Islam, Bahasa Melayu, Malay reservation land, and so on, that come under the state Rulers and the Agong and Parliament cannot interfere with these matters.
For example, Parliament might pass an Act of Parliament that allows (recognises) Muslim men and women to live together as “partners” without having to get married (like here in the UK). The state, however, can ignore this Act of Parliament and still authorise the state religious department to arrest for khalwat those living out of wedlock.
The state Rulers, not Parliament, decide.
Dr Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim tried to turn Malaysia into a republic 35 years ago and failed
Malaysia is unique. It has FOUR, not THREE branches of government like other parliamentary democracies à la Westminster. And that fourth branch of government after the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary is the Monarchy.
In other words, Malaysia’s monarchy is not a rubber stamp but has certain powers that even Parliament cannot remove.
Can Malaysia’s monarchy be abolished? In theory maybe yes. But in practice no.
Tun Dr Mahathir tried that in the late 1980s. At that time Umno and Barisan Nasional were very strong. In the 1986 general election, Umno won 47% of the Parliament seats while BN won 84%. PAS got wiped out. They won only ONE seat.
So, in 1986, Umno and BN were at their strongest. But when Mahathir turned on the Rulers, the Malays rallied behind the Rulers and not behind Umno and BN. And because of that, in the 1990 general election, Umno’s seats dropped to 39% and BN’s dropped to 71%.
And, 35 years later, the Rulers are still around while Mahathir is a footnote in history.
Mahathir took on the Rulers 35 years ago and lost
So, does Pakatan Harapan want to try what Mahathir tried 35 years ago and failed? Bring it on then. An Islamic Republic of Malaysia to replace the constitutional monarchy? I am all for it.
Comparing Malaysia to Thailand and saying what happened in Thailand can happen in Malaysia is a fallacy. (Some even include what is happening in Hong Kong as another example of what can happen in Malaysia).
In Iran, when the Shah was ousted, Iranians took over. In Hong Kong, Chinese are fighting Chinese. In Thailand, if the monarchy is abolished in favour of a republic, it would be Thais replacing Thais. In Malaysia, however, if the Raja-Raja Melayu are ousted, it would be a Chinese DAP-backed government that comes back to power.
No more DAP-led government, say the Malays
And, after 22 months of penderitaan, Melayu sudah serik. No more DAP and no more DAP-led Pakatan Harapan government. Hence the only benteng to mempertahankan Malay political power are the Rulers.
Anyway, read what His Highness the Sultan of Selangor has to say about the current political turmoil and the challenge to the Rulers. And if you do not understand what that statement means, it means the Rulers are united and stand behind the current government.
Get it?
Focus on the rakyat’s problems, not on a power-struggle, says the Sultan of Selangor
Raja Petra Kamarudin
