Royal nod for smooth change
Conference of Rulers hails peaceful transition of power
KUALA LUMPUR: The Conference of Rulers has extended its appreciation to all parties in helping to ensure that the 14th General Election was carried out in a smooth and peaceful manner.
Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who chaired the 249th meeting of the Conference of Rulers, said that the outcome of the elections which was decided by the voters has created a shift in the political landscape and a new historical mark for the country.
“Alhamdullilah, the smooth, peaceful, and orderly transition of power showed that Malaysians had displayed maturity in politics.
“Malaysians also showed to the world that the practice of democracy in the country has not only grown, but has reached maturity,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin, who is also the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, said that although it could not be denied that the intensity of the election campaign had split the rakyat into two opposing camps, he believed that the efforts to unite the people could be carried out.
“For the sake of the country’s future, the move to unite the rakyat must be done by practising the principles of democracy and upholding the spirit of inclusiveness by showing that those who won did not win in everything, while those who lost did not lose in all aspects,” he added.
Sultan Nazrin said the Conference of Rulers also welcomed the new faces who attended the meeting, as they will serve to provide counsel to the respective state Rulers and the Yang di-Pertua Negri.
“I welcome the attendance of the Yang Amat Berhormat to the Conference of Rulers and congratulate them for being given the responsibility to lead their respective state governments.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the state Rulers, and the Yang di-Pertuas Negri have studied and are satisfied with the wishes of the majority of the voters who had carried out their responsibility by appointing their respective state government leaders and exco members, be they at the federal or state level,” he added.
Sultan Nazrin said the Conference of Rulers is a unique and special forum that connects the institution of constitutional monarchy with the rakyat and is conducted through consensus ( musyawarah) although not all its discussions are made public.
The two-day meeting, which began yesterday, was attended by all the Malay Rulers except for the Sultans of Pahang and Kelantan.
The Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah represented the Sultan of Pahang, while the Regent of Kelantan Dr Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra represented the Sultan of Kelantan.
During the meeting which began at 10.30am, the Malay Rulers were accompanied by the respective mentris besar while the Yang di-Pertuas Negri of Penang, Sabah and Melaka were accompanied by their respective chief ministers.
The Yang di-Pertua Negri of Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud was accompanied by Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V is scheduled to attend the meeting today.