By Fathi Aris Omar
SHAH ALAM, Dec 11 — Above and beyond political party disputes, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, prioritises unity and harmony in the lives of the common people, with an earnest rejection of divisive politics and religious exploitation.
Repeatedly, His Royal Highness delivers royal decrees urging political leaders to avoid divisive politics. Throughout this year, in all major events, Sultan Sharafuddin has tirelessly reminded politicians.
During the royal address at the opening of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly in March, its dissolution in June, and during the state leadership’s appointment ceremony following the 15th Selangor Election in August, the Ruler’s message was crystal clear.
His Royal Highness advised political leaders not to “play issues related to religion and provoke racial and other sensitive issues which can damage harmony and unity.”
As partisan political competition has intensified in recent years, Sultan Sharafuddin’s advice is akin to pearls of wisdom reminding the complacent and the ignorant.
In the period leading up to the 15th general election (in November last year), His Royal Highness said leaders who betray, deceive, and abuse power to accumulate personal wealth would be hated by the people as they brought destruction upon the nation.
“The ruin of leaders is the ruin of the nation, as poets say: ‘if the water is murky at the source, it will be murky downstream,’ (jika keruh air di hulu, maka keruhlah ia di hilir),” said Sultan Sharafuddin in a Facebook post by the Selangor Royal Office, a month before the polling day on November 19.
When speaking at the opening of the final session of the 14th State Legislative Assembly, the Ruler expressed discomfort with leaders who use houses of worship for party politics, leading to disputes.
“I am most concerned about such a culture; if not curbed, it will continue to divide the Muslim community, especially the Malays.
“As the state election in Selangor approaches this year, I want to remind the Selangor Islamic Religious Council to continuously issue directives from time to time so Muslims, especially politicians, do not turn mosques and suraus into stages for speeches and campaigns,” said His Royal Highness in front of all 56 state assemblymen on March 13.
A day before departing for Saudi Arabia for religious pilgrimage on June 20, Sultan Sharafuddin continued to emphasise harmonious politics, which nurture unity. During the assembly’s dissolution at Istana Alam Shah, His Royal Highness stated:
“I also emphasise that candidates and their supporters should not play issues related to religion and provoke racial and other sensitive issues which can damage harmony and unity among the people.”
Nonetheless, there remain certain leaders who continue to stoke the fires of racial hatred between communities, even after the elections in six states, including Selangor, concluded on August 12.
Healing the Divide
Subsequently, in his capacity as the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs’ (MKI) chairman, Sultan Sharafuddin issued a special statement on September 12, two days after two by-elections in Johor.
“The country will regress in all aspects of life if political leaders tend to foster ethnic polarisation and inflame the people’s feelings in the name of race and religion.
“People influenced by the instigation of some leaders who promote racial and religious politics may potentially trigger feelings of suspicion, conflict, disagreement, and division.
“Excessive polarisation will lead to implications which breed elements of radicalism and extremism within society, which could threaten national security,” said the Ruler.
His Royal Highness even suggested that the boundaries and differences between races and religions could be overcome by organising various programmes to close the gap and avoid existing negative prejudices.
Sultan Sharafuddin explained the “increasingly apparent” seeds of division prompted a segment of the population to appeal to the Malay Rulers to intervene in safeguarding the people’s security and peace.
His Royal Highness’ statement is a stronger affirmation than the decree issued during the Menteri Besar and Selangor State Executive Council members’ appointment ceremony on August 21.
“I observe that politics has greatly divided our unity as fellow Muslims with the practice of narrow political ideologies — enough of such practices.
“We need to move forward and bring about a change in how we do politics and think. Now that the elections are over, let us come together to strengthen relationships regardless of religion, race, and political beliefs.
“We must unite again to rebuild Malaysia, and the state of Selangor in particular,” said the Ruler from the Istana Alam Shah throne in Klang.
Such statements and remarks are indicative of how concerned the Sultan of Selangor is over harmony and unity. In just six months this year, His Royal Highness has consistently emphasised protecting the people’s well-being.
