It is common knowledge that the Royal Address to officiate a Parliamentary sitting in Malaysia is usually guided by the Prime Minister’s Office.
And one would have expected the same when Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah read his Royal Address at the first meeting of the second term of the 15th Parliament sitting on Feb 13.
The earlier part of the Royal Address was mainly about the government’s initiatives, as expected.
The King spoke about the Malaysia Madani initiative launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last month, expressed his confidence in the ability of the Federal Territories Department –which served as a full-fledged ministry before the Nov 19 national polls – and even touched on Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET).
However, it was the later parts of Al-Sultan Abdullah’s speech that got tongues wagging.
Al-Sultan Abdullah essentially handed Malaysian politicians a royal rebuke, and reminded them of what had transpired during his reign.
There was no doubt that he was alluding to the political and socio-economic mess created by our elected representatives in their unconstrained desire to control Putrajaya. The King red-carded them for their attitude. He did not pull any punches.
In Point 52 of his address, Al-Sultan Abdullah said: “If the episode that led to the resignation of the seventh prime minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) had not happened, the series of political instability that lasted until the 15th General Election would have been avoided.”
“More importantly, the political instability that plagued the country for close to four years could have been avoided if the Members of Parliament and politicians were willing to set aside their differences and unite in the interest and the welfare of His Majesty’s rakyat and our beloved country.”
What Al-Sultan Abdullah said next would leave any self-respecting man, a man of honour, utterly disgusted with himself. It was a humiliating moment for those seated in the august House.
“At the age of 66, we are supposed to be mature and use our unique differences as the main ingredient to create a compassionate Malaysian race that respects one another … If the differences and political disagreements go on to become an issue of contention and division, I am worried that the peace, stability, and development that we all seek, will never become a reality.”
Just before Al-Sultan Abdullah wrapped up his address, he reminded the MPs not to covet personal glory, but instead, to uphold the good name of the Dewan Rakyat, and to put the people and the nation’s wellbeing at the forefront, at all times.
It was a timely advice, since many of the MPs were eager to create ‘favourable optics’ online –scoring likes, retweets, and basking in the accolades of an adoring public who shower them with endless praise. For them, that’s more important than making real, tangible, life-changing decisions on the ground.
Lest we forget, this isn’t the unity government that was supposed to be formed right after the results of GE15 were announced.
Perikatan Nasional, despite the huge gains – winning seats in the rural areas – decided not to join forces with Pakatan Harapan to form the government of the day. This led to Anwar forming a government with Umno – a party he and his crew had vehemently ridiculed and mocked throughout the campaign period, in order to win the hearts and minds of voters nationwide.
Al-Sultan Abdullah made it clear that he had no intention of meddling in the country’s political affairs.
However, the King, being human, must have felt truly slighted, seeing how certain politicians had put taking control of Putrajaya ahead of respecting the people’s mandate.
The Royal Address was basically a telling-off to the politicians. Their insatiable greed for power had plunged the country, and its people, into a cataclysmic abyss that is going to be difficult to escape from, while driving an ever-divisive wedge among Malaysians.
Al-Sultan Abdullah is set to return to Kuantan as Pahang Sultan, as his five-year reign as King, ends this year.
To say that it has been an eventful four years would be an understatement. Al-Sultan Abdullah has seen it all – a protracted political crisis, endless political turmoil and instability, skulduggery, deceit, swearing in and working with four prime ministers in a span of four years, and the crushing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
If there is anything Malaysians can learn from in the last four years, it is that our politicians are capable of wreaking havoc in their quest for power. Whatever the cost.
Malaysians now realise the role and importance of the Agong.
Some believe the creation of a ‘Privy Council’ would help the head of state in dealing with future political crises, and advise the Agong in the appointments of key positions, like the Attorney-General, the Inspector-General of Police, and the chief of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
But there are dissenting voices.
Discussions continue among decision-makers, and it remains unclear if the ‘Privy Council’ will become a reality before Al-Sultan Abdullah hands over the throne to the next royal in line.
What is clear, however, is Al-Sultan Abdullah’s Royal Address, and his experience over the last five years, have effectively put our politicians on notice.
Buck up, or be prepared to be censured by the people. And maybe the royal institution.