ACT THAT GOES AGAINST MALAY CULTURE AND ISLAM TEACHINGS

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali and Azril Annuar

IPOH (Malaysia), Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The emotionally-charged behaviour of
hordes of People's Alliance (PR) supporters to the extent of showing disrespect,
contempt and defiance against the northern state of Perak Sultan during a
demonstration at the Ubudiah Mosque in Kuala Kangsar Friday, is seen as going
against Malay culture and Islamic teachings.

Political analyst Prof Dr Azahari Ismail said the action of the PR
supporters, including obstructing the official car of the Regent of Perak
Raja Dr Nazrin Shah which was heading towards Istana Iskandariah Friday
afternoon for the swearing-in of new Perak Chief Minister Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir,
was an act of disloyalty to the Sultan.

He said the action was also against the second principle of the Rukun
Negara, that is, "loyalty to the King and country", whereby the people,
regardless of race and religion, were under the protection of the ruler.

"This is a bad sign. What is the rationale for the demonstrators' behaviour?

"Are they acting rationally as Malays and Muslims, driven by emotions like
crazy people going out of control?" he said to Bernama in response to the unruly
incident after Friday prayers at the beautiful 92-year-old mosque, which is
about 300 metres away from Istana Iskandariah.

Azahari said former Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar
Jamaluddin and his PR state executive council members should abide by the
decision of Sultan Azlan Shah for them to resign from their posts after they
failed to have the majority in the state legislative assembly.

"If we believe in the rule of law, why do we take our problem to the
streets. This is the behaviour of the uneducated or they have a hidden agenda,
besides being dissatisfied over something."

Azahari said it was the right of PR to bring the issue to court for a
solution, but resorting to street demonstrations would not bring the desired
change but would only tarnish the country's image.

Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria said the demonstration, cursing and swearing
and destroying public property were not Malay culture and were against Islamic
teachings.

"The Malays do not defy the Sultan. As Malays, they (demonstrators) should
not be cursing and swearing and destroying other people's property as Malay
culture is refined. How can we say we are struggling for Islam when we behave in
such an unIslamic way?" he said.

Political science lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Nidzamuddin Sulaiman said the
demonstration took place when the PR supporters could not accept that the state
government they supported had collapsed.

"But please be reminded that the Perak Sultan had acted rationally in
accordance with the constitutional law. But these people are seeing the decision
as a plot to topple the PR state government, which is incorrect.

"The Sultan had met both sides, Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and Najib Razak
(Perak BN chairman). The Sultan also personally listened to the assemblymen
concerned (28 from BN and three Independents)," he noted.

On Wednesday, ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition announced that it had
the majority in the state assembly when three Independent assemblymen, namely
for Jelapang (Hee Yit Foong), Behrang (Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi) and Changkat
Jering (Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu) had declared their support for BN following their
resignations from their parties in PR.

Bota assemblyman Nasaruddin Hashim who quit United Malays National
Organisation (Umno) and joined People's Justice Party on Jan 25, returned to
Umno on Wednesday, bringing back the number of seats held by BN to 28.

Ahmad Nidzamuddin stressed that it was impossible for Sultan Azlan Shah, a
former Lord President, to not have made his decision wisely in the interests of
all parties.

Dr Azahari said the current situation should be assessed wisely by the
people.

"They must see how bad the situation is. But if they choose this, then it is
unfortunate for a democratic country like ours," he said.
-- BERNAMA