IMPLEMENT DEMOCRATIC PHILOSOPHY WISELY, SAYS NORTHERN STATE RULER

SINTOK (Malaysia), July 17 (Bernama) -- To ensure continued peace,
development and prosperity in the country, the democratic philosophy must be
implemented with wisdom to prevent its misuse by any quarters to vent out anger
or hatred, said the Ruler of northern state Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam
Shah.

The Ruler said the combination of the traditional style of governing and
modern philosophies must be maintained because through this method, one party
could watch over the other party's actions based on the principle of check and
balance.

"I am grateful for the method chosen by the nation's leaders. Through the
democratic system of government, the people have been able to shape their lives
accordingly.

"The democratic spirit also spurs the leaders to relentlessly work at
improving the people's standard of living," the Sultan said at a special
convocation ceremony where former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was
conferred an honorary doctorate in democracy at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM),
here, Friday.

Tuanku Abdul Halim said even after more than 50 years of independence, the
country's stability would not last if it did not continue to be supported by
traditional norms and the foundations of nationhood which had been agreed upon.

Therefore, the Sultan urged the people, especially the young generation, to
study the country's history so that they would realise and appreciate how
Malaysia came into being and uphold the principles of Malaysian national
ideology.

The Sultan also suggested that the contributions of the nation's leaders
like Abdullah be recorded and compiled into books for reference, so that the
future generations would learn to appreciate that the nations's stability and
prosperity were the result of these leaders' contributions.

"Abdullah has demonstrated high democratic values, as he was among the
country's prime ministers who had emphasised on democratic rule.

"From my observation, Abdullah's administration tried to make the
democratic philosophy more mature and had systematically worked at developing
human capital holistically," he said.

UUM vice-chancellor Dr Nordin Kardi said the conferment of the hononary Ph.D
on Abdullah was in recognition of his contribution and service to the nation,
particularly in trying to make the people understand and practise the concept of
democracy.

Also present at the ceremony were the Kedah Ruler's consort Tuanku Haminah
Hamidun and Abdullah's wife, Jeanne Abdullah.
-- BERNAMA