We need our own version of Magna Carta
Whacking a prince, 800 years after Magna Carta
Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz was right in pointing that out when he warned Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
Many Malaysians have become blinkered on this issue in their support for Tunku Ismail – partly because they still have a feudal mindset, partly because they don’t know better about our constitutional monarchy, partly because they are fed up with the current government and its arrogance. Thank you for pointing out what is right.
Myop101: I agreed in principle – that the royalty should not intervene in politics. But our check-and-balance system is not working, so what do you expect the royalty to do? Sit idly by?
Mind you, the King John of Malaysia today is not the prince here. Perhaps we need our own version of Magna Carta with rebellious barons to subject our King John to the rule of law.
Prudent: At the time of the Magna Carta, there were only two parties involved – the monarchy and the feudal lords. British feudalism and its excesses were first curbed under Cromwell and finally laid to rest after James II was deposed.
William of Orange was a popular monarch. But the first act he did after ascending the throne was to sign into law the rights and protection of private property. Thus was the start of the ascension of British bourgeoisie and capitalism.
But now in Malaysia, the Umnoputras have evidently put themselves above the law and all else. In such a situation, does the Magna Carta (the rule of law) still apply? Not for them.
The Analyser: Lu, thank you for your article. This should have been written the day the Crown Prince first opened his mouth.
Malaysians are only praising and supporting the crown prince because what he had to say supported their own ideas and goals.
Had he said something contrary to their entrenched opinions, they would have been raining down insults on his regal head as hard as they could go. That’s Malaysia for you.
Anonymous_1419577444: I would agree with Lu if we are talking about a mature democracy, where the politicians on both sides play or abide by the rules and tenets of democracy.
And where the government of the day runs the country in the manner entrusted to them by the masses, with integrity, honesty, accountability, and transparency.
However, Malaysia as we all know, is a kleptocracy cloaked in democracy. The ruling party, which has been in office for the past 60 years, views the laws of the land and the masses with contempt and acts with impunity in managing the country and its resources.
Therefore, regurgitating the Magna Carta and the tenets of democracy is ‘hot air’. Our country is in a major crisis. Any rakyat, be they the ordinary people or royalty, has the responsibility and right to voice their concerns and do more to right things.
If your house is on fire, do you insist that only qualified firemen put out the fire? Or do you welcome anyone who has buckets of water and water hoses?
JD Lovrenciear: Indeed, when democracy has systematically been made to fail or underperform, the people will turn to the royal household for salvation. Your arguments appear, unfortunately, to be cast in mortar.
Even if the royalties indulge in what we call ‘politics’ here in Malaysia, it will not be seen by Malaysians as meddling because the men in the street have been marginalised in so many ways, including Malaysiakini being penalised. Instead, it will be celebrated as liberty.
SteveOh: There is nothing wrong with a member of royalty expressing his personal opinion on any matter because he or she does not lose his/her constitutional right to freedom of expression on account of his/her role.
However, there is convention and protocol that may influence how they do it. The Crown Prince of Johor is right in using that freedom in expressing his opinion that has resulted in a public personal spat with a government minister, though it is a radical departure from convention.
That he was brusquely dealt with is also a radical departure from convention. But that’s Malaysia today. Anything goes.
When you have a parliamentarian brazenly resorting to a threat of murder against demonstrators, something is seriously remiss. Malaysia is slowly sinking in troubled waters.
Lucas: Lu, you are correct and your warning is fair.
But with the instruments of power overwhelmingly in the hands of Umno and especially our brave Bugis warrior, we Malaysians have no choice but to cheer for whoever is prepared to take them on.
Anonymous #03913649: Our immediate concern should be to get rid of PM Najib Razak who is behaving like a feudal lord – red carpet, bodyguards, posh cars, private jet, a gang of yes men, luxurious lifestyle, queen control, and not forgetting his palace and daughter’s wedding.
No future PM should enjoy king-like perks. He must live within his means, which means he cannot spend more than his income even if he comes from a rich family, until his term expires.
Ah Hoe: “No future PM should enjoy king-like perks”. What about “No future king should enjoy PM-like perks”?
Well Thats Fantastic: Careful! With a dare like this (royalties must first relinquish their titles and privileges before they can dabble in politics), the young prince may just take it up and lead the country to heights we are yet to imagine.
The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakinisubscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. Over the past one year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.
These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakinisubscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.
