Open letter to sultan improper, say NGOs
RESPECT: ’Syed Saddiq should have personally delivered it or sought an audience with the Johor sultan’
THE open letter directed at the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar with regard to the street demonstration issue was done in an improper manner.
Coordinating Council of the Federation of Malay Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Johor (Gabung Johor) vice-president Abdullah Md Yusof said the open letter, which was uploaded on Facebook by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Youth head Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman should have been conveyed in a more respectful way.
“The statement issued by Syed Saddiq on Nov 3 at 12.44pm was something considered ‘tidak manis’ (improper) towards the sultan.
“It was an open letter uploaded on Facebook, a public platform. As a person who is part of Bangsa Johor, I believe he could have instead personally delivered the letter or sought an audience with the ruler.”
He added that people should be mindful of the way they speak or act when addressing a ruler. Even if Syed Saddiq had good intentions with his opinion, his words left a big impact, especially among Johoreans, who are loyal to their ruler.
“Anyone planning to give statements on the sultan or the Johor sultanate should avoid such a thing and be careful.
“I urge Syed Saddiq to openly apologise to the Sultan of Johor,” Abdullah said during a press conference by five NGOs, which were unhappy over the criticism levelled at the ruler over the decree to ban street demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Johor Baru Tiong-Hua Association president Datuk Seri Tey Kim Chai, who was also at the press conference, urged the people to practise the second Rukun Negara of “loyalty to the king and country” and avoid being disrespectful to rulers.
He said Sultan Ibrahim had good reason to ban street demonstrations as they could disrupt public order.
Johor Baru District Federation of Indian Associations and Clubs secretary Sivamani Manikam said people should be mindful when expressing their opinions on a public platform, especially if it was directed to a member of the royalty.
On Sunday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Syed Saddiq would be investigated under the Sedition Act for “trying to incite hatred and questioning orders made by royal families”.
This followed a police report by eight NGOs here on Saturday which were unhappy over the open letter by Syed Saddiq to the ruler.
On the same day, Johor MIC lodged a police report against Syed Saddiq and Satees Muniandy, who is an aide to the Penang deputy chief minister II and a DAP member, for criticising Sultan Ibrahim over the same matter.