PKR appears to be caught in a dilemma over the call to restore immunity for the Malay rulers prior to the 1993 constitutional amendment.

Despite the issue being raised twice during its three-day national congress, which drew to an end today, the opposition party failed to make a clear stand.

pkr national congress 301108 anwar ibrahim In his winding up speech, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said he was of the view that the rulers' immunity should be restored but subject to laws and the spirit of the Federal Constitution.

"It's not an absolute power. This country has chosen the system of constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. Therefore, the rulers are bound by the spirit of the constitution and laws.

"The sanctity of the rulers should be protected and therefore royal immunity should be restored subject to the constitution and laws. That is our stand," added the opposition leader.

Prior to the 1993 constitutional amendment, the rulers enjoyed full immunity but the amendment took away their immunity from criminal prosecution and civil redress with the setting up of a special court to try them.

No detailed discussion

Asked for clarification on the party's stand later, PKR vice-president R Sivarasa said Anwar was not talking about returning to the era of absolute immunity for the royals.

"We want to stress our recognition for basic immunity that should be enjoyed by the rulers," explained the senior lawyer, adding that PKR is not in favour of removing the special court.

Pressed on how PKR's stand is different from the current situation, Sivarasa did not explain, saying that the party has yet to hold a detailed discussion on the issue.

PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in her speech yesterday, said the party was willing to return royal immunity in the spirit of constitutional monarchy.

She however clarified later that she was not talking about the restoration of royal immunity per se but restoring the powers of the Agong in the law-making process.

Wan Azizah said she was talking about restoring the king's power to reject a Bill in enacting a new law.

Tunku Naquiyuddinc2 27108 Recently, Negeri Sembilan Regent Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Jaffar called for the restoration of immunity for the rulers.

In order for the ruler to exercise his duties in a fair, just and impartial manner in protecting the constitution, the regent said, their sovereignty needs to be duly protected too.

The call elicited mixed responses, with DAP national chairperson and senior lawyer Karpal Singh saying the special court should continue to serve as an effective check on the rulers.

Don't expect rewards

Meanwhile, in his winding-up speech, deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali told party members not to expect rewards from Pakatan Rakyat-led state leaders.

pkr national congress 301108 syed husin ali "I don't deny that the contribution of our reformists and activists should be appreciated, I am confident that the (Selangor) menteri besar (Khalid Ibrahim) will do the necessary (but I hope) we don't get carried away with this attitude.

"We have fought for 10 years, the rakyat should be the ones that we should reward. If we are expecting personal rewards, we cannot be seen as the real champions of the people," he said.

Syed Husin's statement came as an apparent response to calls for state governments, especially Selangor, to give a more prominent role to party members in the state administration.

This is the first party congress since PKR's powerful showing in the March 8 general election.

From one parliamentary and one state seat in 2004, the multiracial party made significant gains from widespread voter disillusionment and resentment towards the ruling Barisan Nasional to bag 31 parliamentary and 41 state seats.