Malaysia's Constitutional Monarchy Is Not Just A Symbol - IKIM

PORT DICKSON (Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia), Oct 15 (Bernama) -- It is a mistake for anyone to consider and interpret Malaysia's constitutional monarchy as a mere symbol which has no function. Assoc Prof Dr Shamrahayu Ab Aziz, who is principal fellow at the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia's (IKIM) Syariah, Law and Politics Research Centre, said there were also some quarters that regarded Malaysia's constitutional monarchy as similar with the Westminster Parliament in London, England. "The truth is, it is very much different. Although we practice constitutional monarchy, we have never cut off the sovereignty. The imperial sovereignty of the Malay rulers never disappear from the soil of the Malay states," she said. She was speaking at a discussion programme on 'Parliamentary Democracy and Constitutional Monarchy', organised by the Information Department in collaboration with the Port Dickson Polytechnic here today. Shamrahayu, who is also a lecturer on Constitutional Law, at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), said the country's constitutional monarchy was not a new principle but has been adopted over the years. She said without the consent of the Malay Rulers, Malaya would not have achieved independence in 1957 and Malaysia would also not have been formed in 1963. In fact, she said, it was a mistake to regard the Malay rulers as having no role in the country's administration. "The various roles and functions of the Malay Rulers regarding the administration of the country is stated in the Federal Constitution and what is written in the Constitution is the supreme law of the country... no one can challenge or undermine the supreme law of the country. "So long as we abide by the Constitution, the more we are obliged to adhere to the rule of democracy and Parliament and we should also obey the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers as the oath they have taken is not an arbitrary oath," she said. The discussion programme, which aimed to cultivate positive values towards the rule of the Royal Institution among the youth, was attended by about 500 students, including lecturers. -- BERNAMA