Amar Shah Mohsen
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has warned politicians against participating in any attempts that threaten to destabilise the country, saying he would not entertain such acts.
In his inaugural address in Parliament, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong decreed for all MPs to instead focus their efforts on ensuring the well-being of the over 33 millions Malaysians.
He said this responsibility should not fall solely on the shoulders of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but all 222 elected representatives.
“I would like to stress here that I will not entertain any requests by any parties that try to threaten the country’s political stability,” he said in his royal address at the opening of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Parliament, here, today.
“All quarters must accept the fact and respect the Unity Government that has been formed. If you want to play politics, wait until the next election.”
Sultan Ibrahim said as lawmakers in Parliament, it makes no sense for MPs to fail to abide by the very laws that they have enacted in the august House.
His Majesty also expressed hope that members of the house would act with the utmost decorum taking part in proceedings.
“Mind your etiquette and discipline, observe decorum, and stop hurling profanities. If we look at the attitudes of MPs in the past, I feel so embarrassed to step foot in the dewan.”
The king said since it is his first time speaking in Parliament, he would not be too harsh on the MPs, as is normally the case when he addresses his assemblymen in the Johor State Legislative Assembly.
“My speech today is also rather subtle than it usually is in Johor. I am giving everyone a chance and don’t wish to aggrieve anybody, but in the future, please be mindful,” he said.
Sultan Ibrahim added that his reign as Agong will be no different to his predecessors, in that he would act based on the Federal Constitution and existing rules and policies.
“I am sitting here to carry out my responsibilities and shoulder the mandate of the Malay rulers to ensure the sovereignty of our nation, prosperity of the country and well-being of the rakyat are always preserved.
“As such, I urged all of you, be it those sitting on the right or left benches, to come together and work to develop this country, for the sake of our people.”
Sultan Ibrahim was sworn in as the 17th King of Malaysia for a five year term on January 31, succeeding Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Alhaj of Pahang, whose five-year reign as the 16th Agong ended a day earlier.
