K. SILADASS

Is telling the truth seditious?

by K. Siladass

The Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah “has expressed disappointment with the actions of certain parties, who he says “openly insult and belittle the monarchy in a bid to instigate the people to hate the Malay Rulers.” He is especially saddened as the instigation against Malay Rulers came from the Malays themselves. This statement comes in the wake of a letter written by Datuk A. KadirJasin, veteran and eminent journalists who was at the helm of UMNO's, later UMNO Baru's mouth piece, New Straits Times.

KadirJasin in his letter has disclosed the huge amount spent on the Yang di-PertuanAgong. Either it is false or true. If it is false, then, it is an offense; on the other hand if it is true, then, it needs to be addressed and the people are rightfully entitled to the benefit of the truth.

Rather than taking Kadir to task it would be a prudent course to evaluate the nuance of his statement.

The Sultan of Selangor says that the Malays themselves are instigating. The word “instigating” has many meanings, and one among them, is to prompt someone to think. Therefore, the real position is that the Malays have begun to think, and it would not be proper to say that they are instigating, or campaigning an erroneous cause.

One must always remember that there was a time when some Malay politicians looked to Indonesia for guidance, and they were labelled as radicals because of their left-leaning political beliefs, and their overt association with communists. The British, with the help of the Malays protected the monarchical institution. And it is not a tale that the Malayan Communist Party openly campaigned for a Malayan Republic. Now, the truth is that any change in the monarchical system can only be initiated with the support of Malays: the non-Malays by themselves cannot do so; because it could lead to other political upheavals.

The Malays being in the majority there is no doubt that the decision of the Malays will always be paramount.

Therefore, if the Malays themselves are questioning the life style, or the political views, or the criticisms of the Sultans from time to time, it cannot, and should not be treated as a negative sign but accept them as reasonable and pragmatic evaluation by the Malay mind, which could also be the view of Malaysians of all races about the Malay Rulers.

One anecdote of Emperor Akbar is very enlightening. Akhbar walked into his court looking very grave, and angry. When asked the cause for his angry mood, he answered that on his way someone pulled his moustache, and spat on his face. He wanted to know what to do with the person who had committed such a heinous crime.

One minister said, “the culprit should be jailed for five years.” Another said, “his head must be cut off.” Thus, most of the ministers wanted severe punishment, meted out. Then, enters Birbal, a noted man of wisdom, who, on being told of the attacks on Akbar, laughed and said, “Who could have spit your face and pull your mustaches except your son.” Akbar said: “You are right…” If we take this as an analogy, we could say that the subjects of the Sultans are their children. And occasional attacks – healthy ones – should not be groused but taken in the spirit of receiving good advice or suggestion.