COMMENT Recently, the Selangor state assembly passed a regulation barring state representatives and local councillors from applying for state-owned lands. This is a brave and unprecedented move which deserves more public attention than it has drawn so far.

One question is whether the new rule also applies to the members of the royal family. There are probably many examples of members of royalty applying for state land. Should they be given special consideration or be treated the same as the public?

I am sure there are pros and cons when it comes to applying the rule to royalty. The important thing is for the issue to be brought out into the open and for rational public opinion to prevail.