Those who blithely ignore the constitution for political ends are wrecking the foundations of this country to further their own interests. And this must stop, said veteran Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.

ku li tengku razaleigh interview 241106 significant Responding to the Perak crisis, which witnessed more bizarre twists yesterday, including a state assembly sitting being convened under a tree, he lamented that "one of our most prosperous states has been reduced to a failed state."

He said Barisan Nasional's takeover of Perak has set off a chain-reaction of illegality which has left the state quite possibly without a legitimate government.

"One lie leads to many lies. Each bad action leads to a cascade of follies. Particularly when the lie or violation concerns something very basic.

"This is a principle we teach our children. It is a simple but universal truth now being demonstrated in Perak," he said.

Constitution becomes a dead piece of paper

Tengku Razaleigh said with each violation, the sense of decency and restraint and the habits that bind us to the constitution are loosened.

The confidence in the rule of law that makes civilized life possible is diminished, he pointed out.

"Laws are invisible things. They are exist only when they are understood and observed.

"When the government of the day ignores foundational principles such as the separation of powers, the constitution becomes a dead piece of paper," he said.

"But the constitution is not just any law. It is the set of laws that founds our nation, defines its basic principles, guarantees our individual rights and prescribes the structures, duties, and powers which make a national community possible.

"It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of Malaysia," added the former finance minister.