A ruler must act without fear or favour

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vox populi small thumbnail 'The sultan must be fair to all his people in the state and not have favourites or discriminate based on race and religion.'

S'gor sultan to issue decree on Jais-church issue

Gerard Samuel Vijayan: The essence of a constitutional monarchy is fairness, integrity, service and the welfare of the people.

There is no place for personal preferences, political sympathies and greed for wealth and power. Respect must be earned, not demanded.

Service to the people must come first before self-interest and self-preservation. Without the loyalty and support of the people the institution of monarchy cannot survive and thrive.

A ruler must not only be above politics and political chicanery but he must also act based on convention and precedent when it comes to exercising his powers under the constitution and the discharge of his public duties.

The ruler is still below god and although he may be ordained by god, he is still answerable for his actions to the people because that is what democracy is all about.

The ruler as the father of his people must act in the best interests of all his people and not have favourites or discriminate based on race and religion.

Joe Lee: The Selangor menteri besar would do well to remember that he is the duly elected head of the people of Selangor.

We have a constitutional monarchy; whilst due respect must be given to the sultan, the sovereignty is with the people of the state of Selangor.

If the sultan and the state administration do not agree on certain matters, the view of the MB prevails. If this is not the case, then we are back to feudalism, and by extension Umno gangsterism.

Umno never had any hesitation to ride roughshod over the sultans; it's only now when it is in opposition in Selangor that it is playing its political game of 'Daulat Tuanku'.

MB Khalid Ibrahim, you have no choice but to see off all the troublemakers. You have the law on your side; and if you are steadfast, the people will ensure that you prevail over them.

Malaysian Born: I'm really hoping they do the right thing here. This issue has become a mess with all manner of mistakes and aggressive stances, which will all end up distorting and damaging the delicate balance in the country.

We have more than enough challenges without religious zealots and politicians bent on using religion and religious paranoia to further their causes. God save Malaysia.

Ghkok: The sultan has the right to make decisions on the subject of Islam which he is bound to do under the state constitution. At the same time, the menteri besar has the right to express the voice of his constituents as he is bound to do under the same constitution.

MB Khalid is on the right track as long as he has expressed, to the sultan, the wishes, the feelings, the desires and the opinions of the people of Selangor with regards to this topic.

Ferdtan: Before His Royal Highness (HRH), Sultan of Selangor, issue a decree on Jais-church issue which concerns the sensitivities of religions of both major and minor citizens of this country, we pray that HRH takes time to reflect on the fragility of the religious issues that has been used by politicians from both sides of divide for their selfish gain.

As the sultan is above politics, we are confident that HRH will be remembered, and respected if the decree unites, rather than divides the people of Malaysia.

'Keep seat-warmers out of senate'

Lim Chong Leong: The Senate is the backdoor to the cabinet. It is the reward for BN ‘leaders' who could not get to the top through elections but the party president acknowledges their efforts with senatorships.

It is also for turncoats from opposition who lost out on their own but joins BN for favours. I have met several BN senators from different components, all of whom lost their division elections or refused nominations for Adun or wakil rakyat.

Gandhi: Former MIC president S Samy Vellu used to display his cruelty by tempting his sycophants that he would nominate them for senatorships. I know one primary school dropout who was boot-licking Samy for a Senate seat.

Recently, MIC president G Palanivel did the same thing by appointing two senators who are not the community's choice. Why can't they nominate Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar or someone who has some credibility?

Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Nika Ujang's proposal should be taken seriously. But then again, you get a senator like Ezam Mohd Nor who takes to the streets and defends embarrassing causes.

A Senate candidate must be accepted by both sides of the political divide. We need knowledgeable nominees to be appointed to the Senate.

Gunner: This Senate only acts as a rubber stamp. Members consist of the elderly representatives who are most likely to fall asleep during its sessions.

Please Mr President, tell us how much public money is spent annually to pay the remuneration of its members and also its operating expenditure. It is a waste of our resources.

Anonymous_3ec6: The senate is the political dump for BN failures - those who lost in the elections and want to be ministers through the backdoor.

BN doles out favours to these failed or unwanted representatives. It's better to hold elections for the Senate.

 


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