The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah said that questioning the status of Islam and the special rights of the Malays in this country were actions that disregarded history and were in conflict with the Federal Constitution.

sultan azlan The Sultan said if the Malays themselves questioned these, they had actually insulted and were traitors to their own race.

"The legacy of the Malay Rulers was part of the agreement that formed the basis for formulating the constitution after independence. The Malay Rulers who sit on their thrones today are not just inheriting the power to rule but also the responsibilities towards Islam and the Malay race, ensuring that the legacy continues."

Speaking at the launching of the state-level Ma'al Hijrah celebration at the Kolej Islam Darul Ridzuan hall here today, the Sultan quoted some wise sayings to remind the Malays not to commit actions that would be wasteful or disadvantageous for their own community.

"It would be most unfortunate for the race and religion if real history is erased and the facts altered.

    

"If this is allowed to go on, it would be pointless to regret if one day the Malays find themselves marginalised and Islam relegated to the periphery."

Remember fall of Islamic empire

The Sultan said the Malay Muslims should learn from the fall of the Islamic empire; the defeat of the Muslim army in several wars due to disunity among the Muslims themselves.

"Be aware that the special rights of the Malay Muslims in this country were the result of strategic thinking to ensure continued protection for them and these rights are guaranteed by statutes, and that Islamic activities could flourish and receive state funding."

The Sultan also reminded Muslims to use the Ma'al Hijrah celebration as an occasion for some soul-searching so as not to repeat mistakes, to reduce egoism and to seek divine guidance to the blessed path.

At the function, the Sultan also presented the Perak Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1432 award to Megat Riduan Megat Taib, 76, a former principal assistant director of the Education Division, Perak Islamic Religious Department.

Megat Riduan had also been instrumental in setting up integrated Quran and Fardhu Ain classes with the Sekolah Agama Rakyat in the state.

Other races are protected 

In Kuantan, the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah urged all quarters to stop raising issues related to the special rights of the Malays as these rights were already guaranteed in the Federal Constitution.

"Although the Malays in this country have special rights, the rights of the other races are also protected, while there is religious freedom and the freedom to practise one's language for all races."

The Sultan said this when met after launching the Pahang-level Ma'al Hijrah celebration attended by about 2,000 people at Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Ahmad Shah, here.

Also present were Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob and State Secretary Muhammad Safian Ismail.

In his speech earlier, the Pahang Sultan said the glory and success achieved by individuals in various fields like education, commerce and building construction should be translated into that by the ummah (Muslim community) so that it could be shared by all.

Agong: Don't destroy unity just to please a few

- Bernama