‘Respect traditional parts of Constitution’
Kedah Ruler: Certain elements must be left untouched to preserve harmony
ALOR SETAR: Kedah Ruler Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah wants traditional elements in the Federal Constitution to be left untouched to maintain harmony in the country.
The elements include the existence of the institution of the monarchy, the special position of the Malays and Islam as the official religion, he said.
“I have noticed a tendency to undermine our unity lately. Issues pertaining to race, religion and beliefs were deliberately raised,” he said when opening the second meeting of the first session of the 14th Kedah Legislative Assembly.
The Ruler said although this was done based on liberalism, openness and freedom of speech, the Constitution must be accorded the respect it deserved.
“There was a consensus in drawing up the contents of the Constitution. The noble agreement is a reflection of tolerance of the indigenous people towards the other races that has been accepted as a social contract,” he added.
Sultan Sallehuddin also expressed concern over the country’s position in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released this year, whereby Malaysia dropped seven spots to 62 among 180 countries, its worst position in the last five years.
He said for a country with Islam as the official religion, the CPI position should be addressed urgently to prevent Malaysia’s image from being tarnished in the international arena.
He also called for less dependence on forest harvesting activities and to seek alternatives such as ecotour ism and empowerment of the herbal and pharmaceutical industries.
“I hope the entrusted quarters will play a more active role to ensure that the forest wealth can be enjoyed by all the people and the generations to come.
“I urge the honourable members of the House to be leaders of wisdom who can show the people the greatness of our state and encourage them to become more knowledgeable and competitive in the new Malaysia,” he added.
Earlier, the Sultan inspected a guard of honour mounted by several members of the Federal Reserve Unit from Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, at the Wisma Darul Aman square.
The Ruler was accompanied by his consort Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff. — Bernama