Previously, a lot of people within Pakatan Rakyat praised the monarchy for various decisions in the public sphere. At the moment however contrary to the environment barely weeks ago, words unworthy to be typed here have been uttered as insults. Worse, these insults were thrown even before the Sultan of Perak made a final decision regarding the status of the state government.
I have warned that the infatuation with the monarch is dangerous and I have been consistently concerned with the development of greater power of the monarchy. But those benefited from the decisions of the monarchs celebrated such expansion and dismissed my concerns. They were eager to elevate the roles of the monarchy above and beyond the status quo. Now, the very same people are turning their back to the institution with rudeness unimaginable previously.
Apart from stating that inconsistency of these people (which I increasingly look down as ideologically lalang or more politely, pragmatists), I would like to say, I told you so.
I am glad that I have taken the moral high ground on the matter. Watching down below from above is a morally satisfying activity.
Let this be the end of any infatuation with the monarchy. Let this be a harsh reminder to those who praised the expansion of the monarchy.
A healthy dose of skepticism against the monarchy and indeed any apparatus of the state, must always be kept alive. Thanks to this episode, that will indeed be the case.
Nevertheless, the rudeness shown is unjustified.
p/s — The Malaysian Insider, much later after this post, has this to say:
Make no mistake the political crisis in Perak is not only about who controls the state legislature, and who is left on the sidelines.
It is also a litmus test for Malaysia’s royalty — whether they can play the role of honest brokers in resolving disputes in a country increasingly fractured by politics and racial strife; whether they can be the balm for a more divisive and polarized nation; whether their pronouncements will have a calming effect.
The early signs emerging from Perak are not promising. The previously unsullied reputations of Sultan Azlan Shah and his erudite son, Raja Nazrin Shah have been the subject of scorn and ridicule.
From yesterday, members of the public have sent in emails to the royal household’s website, imploring the Sultan to dissolve the state assembly and call for fresh elections.
After 12 pm today, the emails sounded more threatening and damning. It coincided with the announcement that the Sultan had asked the Perak Mentri Besar to step down in view of the fact that Barisan Nasional had gained control of the state assembly.
Here is a sampling of the emails sent.
Zambri Hussin wrote: ”I have lost all respect for the institution of the Malay Rulers in Perak.”
Dr Phillips John wrote: ”People in Perak are not going to forget the decision you make today.’”
Chan Wai Phing wrote: ”Tuanku, So sorry to see you have failed the test of your own words, before God and before your subjects. You have let three unprincipled scumbags decide the fate of the whole state.”
Arguably, because of the political temperature this was always going to be a no-win case for the royal family. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. [Perak crisis spotlights royalty’s role. The Malaysian Insider. February 5 2009]