When my old man was in the government, he used to complain that the sultans were forever in need of money and contracts.

Every month he would get calls from them, even in the middle of the night, for such help. It was never easy to reject or offer a solution because the sultans were very stubborn and expected their demands to be met.

So much so he always told his secretary to say that he had gone overseas or was in meeting with foreign investors. However, the Sultan of Kedah was the exception to the rule. He was the most respectable and honest one. Politicians are no different from the royalty, too.

Nik Aziz Nik Mat, the menteri besar of Kelantan has been shamed and ignored countless times by the Sultan of Kelantan. The sultan has never even until today accepted PAS as the state government in Kelantan.

But because Nik Aziz is very humble and looking more like a servant following behind the sultan in public and never saying much, the hostilities were kept to a minimum.

Mohd Nizar, the ex-menteri besar of Perak, though humble, does speak his mind, which rather annoys the Sultan of Perak.

Though his time was cut short, Nizar did work for the people and this was noticeable among the various races and religion.

The recent loss of Perak to BN should be a lesson for all not only to the opposition parties. There is a saying, ‘in trust is treason’. Never be too sure of anything because you can be stabbed from behind.

To ensure such incidents as in Perak do not occur ever again, the people must give the opposition a bigger mandate and make sure BN is completely wiped out the next time around.

PKR, DAP and PAS must now prepare and ensure they have enough of loyal and sincere members to stand for in the next general election.

And like my old man, Nik Aziz and Mohd Nizar must never get too close to the royalty. Always remain humble and pretend to be stupid.