MAINTAIN HARMONY, SAYS SULTAN
‘Do not sensationalise issues such as religion and special position of Malays’
DESPITE the change of government, the basic elements in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution should be maintained and never compromised, said Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
The Article touches on the Malay rulers, Islamic religion, national language, special position of the Malays and Bumiputeras, and the legitimate interests of other races.
“Such matters should not be sensationalised by any quarter,” Sultan Nazrin said.
“The act of amending the agreement and social contract, which had been agreed to when enacting the independent constitution, will cause disharmony that can jeopardise political stability and public order.
“Do not make the people victims,” he said in his opening speech of the 14th State Legislative Assembly at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here yesterday.
Earlier, Sultan Nazrin and his consort, Tuanku Zara Salim, were welcomed by Perak State Speaker Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu and State Secretary Datuk Ghazali Jalal.
Sultan Nazrin then checked the guard of honour of the first Ulu Kinta First Battalion of General Operations Force Northern Brigade, which was led by its deputy superintendent, Muhamad Nazri Ramlee.
He said leaders should fulfil people’s wishes and hopes, and perform their responsibilities with dedication, sincerity, honesty and integrity.
“Many promises were made during the 14th General Election, and the voters believed change would bring benefit to the people and country, and have a good governance. The government should run the state in accordance with laws and rules.”